Obituary of Elinor Marie MacLean

Elinor Marie MacLean (MacMillan) August 29, 1933 – Sept. 7, 2023 Born in New Glasgow to Margaret (Keating) and Forrest MacMillan, the middle child, she was educated in New Glasgow and after graduating high school, obtained her teachers license at the Teacher’s College in Truro. She began her teaching at Avondale School and later taught at Priestville School before life got in the way. She married her former husband Fraser MacLean of Hopewell and began her career as a mother. After a couple of years in Dartmouth and now with 3 boys, they moved back to the family farm in Hopewell, where they would spend the rest of their days together and also add 3 more children. With dad working away for periods of time, Mom was left to run the place without much help at times, but somehow, she managed to cook, clean and raise the family, delivering calves and baby pigs along the way, as well as substitute teaching stints in Hopewell School when called upon. She was a proud member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hopewell. She was a member of the choir and also a member of the Rebekah’s where she served as a Past President. She loved to play the piano/organ and often filled in at the Church on Sundays. It was common to hear her playing at home and singing along with dad and whoever joined in. The CBC program “Hymn Sing” was must see TV on Sundays. Unfortunately, after 50 years together, Dad passed and a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s/Dementia changed her life forever. We lost our mother as we knew her. The Valley View Villa in Riverton became her new home, and the residents and staff, her new family. God bless the staff at the Villa for the love and care they provided her over the last 12 years of her life; They are greatly under-appreciated. Besides her parents; Elinor was predeceased by her husband Fraser MacLean, her sister Norma and her brother Donald. She is survived by her 6 children, Scott (Sonja), Paul, Craig (Janet), Diane, Donna and Jeff; 3 grandchildren Jonathon, Ashley (Chris) and Vanessa (Chris) and 3 great-grandchildren, Hannah, Crue and Luca. Cremation will take place. No flowers or visitation by request. There will be a family gathering at MacLean Cemetery at a later date. Any donations can be made to the Valley View Villa or MacLean Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the H.C. MacQuarrie Funeral Chapel, Stellarton. www.angusfuneralhomes.com