Eleanore Lunney

The family announces the death of Eleanore Lunney, at noon on April 2 in her hundredth year.

 Last of 9 born to Francis Joseph Baigent and Jessie Ellen Murray of Toronto. Predeceased by Adelaide, Richard, Murray, Ruth, Frank, Alan, Isobelle, and Bob; husband, Judge J. Lunney, and son Peter.

 Her happiest childhood memory was rowing with her Dad and fishing with her cat Beppo at the cottage on Big Cedar Point.

 She attended St. Michael’s College where she studied modern languages, graduating with the highest academic achievement in her class, winning the gold medal. She says she was not smart— she just had a great memory! She did have beautiful English skills, loved cryptic crosswords, and won Scrabble prizes locally.

 She met our father, James Lunney of Saint John NB, on the U of T campus. They were married from her parish church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Moore Park. 

 Over the years, our family lived in Sarnia, Sudbury, Ottawa, and North Bay, making life-long friends along the way.

 When not managing a household of six kids and various pets (which included a Saint Bernard), our mother gardened, loved bird-watching, could identify most plants and trees, and was at one time the second-best dressed woman at the Pro-Cathedral. She was a wizard at decorating, and a gourmet cook. You’ve heard of crème brûlée? She made that for us back in the 1960s! And just for fun: people often remarked that she looked like Queen Elizabeth.

 Our mother financially and prayerfully supported more than 70 charities.

 She sponsored Fr. John Paulose ever since his seminary days. He now has a parish in Germany.

 She reminded us to treasure the gift of Faith. She hosted a weekly rosary group in her home. After a presentation by a blind priest from the U.S., she founded the First Saturday Club locally, which provided an outing for 40 handicapped persons to visit a different church far and wide in Nipissing District — North Bay, Bonfield, Garden Village — on each First Saturday of each month for thirteen years. Each outing included Mass and the Rosary and a lunch.

 Our mother died on Holy Thursday. At Mass that evening, we witnessed a reenactment of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples: this immediately brought to mind all the nurses, PSWs, dietary, laundry etc. at Northern Heights who worked so tirelessly to meet the needs of our Mum with expertise, affection, and unwavering good humour. 

 Left to mourn are Dr. James Lunney (Liane McNamara) -Ottawa; Margaret -North Bay; Michael- Elliot Lake; Kevin (Susan Nucci)-Toronto; and Catherine (David Showell)- Ottawa as well as grandchildren Thomas Showell, Alex Showell (Marianne Aubrey), Rosemary Showell, Monica Faria (Ben), and Joseph Lunney.

 Visitation at Hillside Funeral Services Thursday April 9 from 1 - 3 and again from 6 - 8, with prayers.

 Funeral Mass at Holy Name Church at 11:15 on Friday April 10, followed by a lunch in the parish hall for all.