Our mother and grandmother departed this life surrounded by family at home in her 92nd year after struggling with increasing infirmities in the wake of a fall. She was predeceased by her parents Leila and Leslie Collacutt, husband George Edward (Ted) and sister Pearl Johnson.
Mourning her loss are daughters Diane Bond (David) and Lee Anne Johnston (John Pomeroy), grandson Carrington and granddaughter Alexandra Pomeroy, step-granddaughter Kristina Bond (Ian Broom) and great-grandchildren Amelia and Benjamin Broom.
Born and raised on a farm near Bowmanville, ON, Lenore earned an Ontario Teacher’s Certificate in 1946 and pursued a career as a classroom teacher, principal, educational consultant and college instructor in the Durham Region. She earned a BA in English from Trent University in 1975 while working full-time.
After retirement and a move to Ottawa in 1997, Lenore continued her life-long commitment to early childhood education as a tutor of children with learning challenges and a volunteer sourcing books for a poorly-equipped school library on a reserve at Cat Lake, ON.
Lenore was unfailingly interested in the experiences of others and maintained a circle of friends from all periods of her life. She found and encouraged the talents of every student she met in her long career.
The family wishes to express gratitude to the excellent nursing staff at The Rockcliffe Retirement Residence where Lenore lived in the last two years of her life and the caring PSW’s from LHIN who helped preserve her in comfort to the end.
After her family and teaching, Lenore’s great love was music, an interest she inherited from her father. She loved the cultural richness of Ottawa and supported musical activities, particularly Music and Beyond’s annual festival of chamber music. Charitable contributions in her memory to Music and Beyond (Artistic Director: Julian Armour) may be made by calling 613-241-0777, visiting their website at www.musicandbeyond.ca or through Canada Helps.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 10 at 3 pm at The Rockcliffe Retirement Residence at 100 Island Lodge Road, Ottawa.