Eleanor Margaret Kendall

After many years of travelling around the world and exploring her family tree with her loving husband, Ben Kendall, Eleanor Margaret Kendall passed away peacefully at home on August 18, 2025. Eleanor is survived by her husband; her daughter, Charmaine Clark; her granddaughter, Maggie Clark; and an extensive family of relatives and cousins. 

Born on December 6, 1939, in Toronto, Ontario, Eleanor came from humble beginnings. She grew up with a family of four other siblings alongside a father who was a professional candymaker and a stay-at-home mother who collected and sold dew worms to local fishermen. 

Full of curiosity and a desire to develop her skills and see the world, Eleanor did not stay in her hometown. She worked hard to earn a competency certificate from a local business college and moved to Calgary, Alberta, finding work as a secretary for Hashman Construction. There, she met and eventually married Alexander Emen Clark, on June 29, 1968, which led to the birth of their daughter. 

Though their relationship turned out to be less permanent than either of them expected, both went on to remarry and have successful careers. Eleanor, in particular, was proud to have been able to support British Columbia’s Ministry of Finance as a receptionist. 

After two years of this work, she fell in love with her current spouse, married him on October 8, 1983, and transferred to the Ministry of Health to work as an administrative assistant for forensic psychiatric services. 

Ever intrigued by learning something new, Eleanor went through many different job positions over the years and would retire around the early 2000’s as an assistant librarian for PricewaterhouseCoopers. 

Her pride and joy wasn’t just in her work or her family. Throughout these years and beyond, Eleanor had nurtured a love of learning and history. When not reading books, watching historical documentaries, or mapping out her family tree, she travelled around the world with Ben and occasionally other family members, exploring and learning the history of many countries, including France, Russia, England, Ireland, Wales, Italy, Malta, and Scotland. 

She also encouraged others to further their own education. Part of that was taking an active role in her granddaughter’s educational interests, helping her learn how to multiply, providing her with French language books, and funding her piano lessons as well as her post-secondary education. She was determined to offer similar opportunities to people outside family as well, working with Ben to establish the Ben and Eleanor Kendall Award and the Margaret and Eleanor Oxenham Award at Douglas College. 

She may have had a humble start, but Eleanor went on to have a rich life that she was happy to share with others. Her generosity and zest for learning will be missed. 

To honour Eleanor, her family will be holding a celebration of life on October 8 in the Holy Trinity Cathedral at 2 pm.

In lieu of sending her immediate family flowers, please consider making a donation to the cathedral, which Eleanor cared for dearly, finding it a space for community and belonging. For alternative donations, please consider donating to the Margaret and Eleanor Oxenham Award, giving to an organization of your choice, or planting a tree or two in her memory by ordering memorial trees through Kearney Funeral Services