Obituary of Mavis "Eleanor" THOMSON

December 22, 1934 – Edmonton, Alberta
July 18, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

We are so very sorry to announce our dear Mom, Eleanor Thomson has passed away after living with Alzheimer’s for several years. She passed away on Sunday, July 18, 2021 at the age of 86 years.

Eleanor was born in Edmonton, AB to Milda and Albert Backstrom. 
She grew up in Edmonton and spent many happy summers at the family cottage at Pigeon Lake, AB. The cottage was built the year of her birth and is still with the family to this day. Eleanor married Gerald (Jerry) Thomson on July 22, 1955. She supported Jerry as an X-ray Technician while he finished his Mechanical Engineering studies at the University of Alberta, Edmonton. Upon Jerry’s graduation his career took the family to many different places. They lived in Edmonton, Calgary, Fort Saskatchewan, Fox Creek, Niagara Falls, and Trinidad, West Indies. Pigeon Lake, however, remained Mom’s most favourite place. 

She loved to sew and shared her talents with many. The family always enjoyed her special Swedish cinnamon buns, pies and pepparkakor at Christmas time. At family get togethers no one ever left the table hungry. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, kindness, compassion, her love for animals and especially poodles, big and small. Kolby will miss you Mom.

Eleanor is survived and deeply missed by her children, Mark (Lynn Fighter), Melva and Mavis; grandchildren, Kyle (Lisette), Katie (Jordan), Taylor (Seth) and Valerie (Lydia), and great-grandchildren, Fynn, Lily and Edi. She was predeceased by her loving husband and her high-school sweetheart, Gerald Thomson in 2013 and by her parents, her brothers, Melvin, Rune and Al Backstrom; and her brother-in-law Robert Thomson.

A Celebration of Eleanor’s Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB  T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com or to The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB  T2C 2T7, Telephone: (403)205-4455, www.calgaryhumane.ca.    

We would like to thank all the staff at the Bethany Care Center, Airdrie for their loving care of our mom. We especially would like to mention Friend Indeed for their many visits with Eleanor and also the ‘End of Life’ care at Peter Lougheed was much appreciated for all the exceptional nursing she received. It has been a difficult year for the health profession and our hats go off to you. Thank-you!!

In living memory of Eleanor Thomson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.
 

Eleanor's memorial card can be viewed using this link