Eleanor "Elle" Agnes Hamill

Eleanor Agnes Hamill was born April 20 1947 in Glasgow, Scotland to Ellen and Frank Hamill. She lived with her Mom, Granny, Grandpa, and her Uncle Alec until she moved to Canada in 1966. As her dad left when she was only three months old, Eleanor considered her Uncle Alec her surrogate dad, and often described him as her "hero". Mom said that she grew up with such love that she just assumed everyone had a loving childhood. She became a big sister at the age of 10, and Lillian became her "living doll"...although her dad left again, she just felt Lillian completed her perfect childhood.

Eleanor knew she wanted to be a hair stylist at a young age. She used to tell her cousins that she was going to move to America and become a singing hair stylist. Her determination knew no bounds...at 15 she was hired to become an apprentice hair stylist at the upscale Lewis' Department Store. She earned this job by pounding the pavement in Glasgow's City Centre, introducing herself and asking for a job. Everyone thought she was too young and told her to come back in a year...except for Lewis's. She worked at her training while concurrently attending Stowe College to continue her education. Our Mom had such responsibility at a young age, and no one would deter her from achieving her goals.

She met Denis Dick at the age of 14, and was dating him when she got her first job. She saw that her life was coming together. However, only 5 months after her new career started, her beloved Grandfather died. This was a shock to Eleanor and she became even more determined to have financial independence and to make her Grandfather proud. At 16, she bought an apartment and told no one! She knew it was going to be developed in the future, and eventually she could sell it for a profit and move to the USA. She told the real estate company she was 18, as it was illegal for a minor to buy an apartment...she just had "moxie".

Eleanor & Denis married on Sept 3, 1964. Eleanor was still working towards them moving to Long Island, NY... Denis was not so much of a fan. The Vietnam War was starting and getting drafted was a huge risk. After many disagreements, they compromised on moving to Canada. After selling the apartment to make the money to ensure they could have a successful start in Canada, they sailed to Canada on April 8, 1966. They settled in with the help of Ellen's friend May. Quickly Denis was hired at Dofasco and Eleanor was hired as a hair stylist in downtown Hamilton.

Their first time on a plane together was to California in 1968. Their youthful innocence and fearlessness found them travelling to Elvis' California home and receiving a guided tour from the maid and butler. Before arriving, they had been told but didn't believe that Elvis was in Memphis, so Mom climbed a tree outside of Elvis' home. They ended up talking to the maid who fell in love with their Scottish accents and offered them a tour of the home.

By September 1969, they purchased a lot to build their first home and then on January 31, 1970, Tania was born. Eleanor loved being a mother, and thought at this point she would have 7 kids. July 6, 1971 David came along. So quiet, and such a good baby...until he turned 2. At this point the dream of 7 kids went out the window and it was about survival. David kept things "interesting". Eleanor was always known for her loyalty, and it was shown immensely with her love for her kids. David's adventures were later looked back on with laughter and that he just had "moxie". Unconditional love for her kids matter what.

During October 1973 we moved into 372 Cranbrook Drive. This was the best home with the greatest group of neighbours anyone could ask for. Even as life moved on after Cranbrook, the friendships made and the memories stayed with Eleanor her whole life. Family from Scotland visited often and became part of everyone's day to day lives, especially Uncle Alec. While over 1-2 times per year, he would walk the neighbour's dog, build patios with Angelo Fiorino, hang out with Jimmy, Bert, Les and Larry. He loved any reason to get together with the Bushey's, Lannigan's, Fiorino's or Adison's. Nothing but life long memories for Denis, Eleanor, or for us, Tania & David. business

During this time, Eleanor built a strong home hairdressing business so that she could be a full time mom. Her mother and sister had immigrated to Canada, so Mom had family here full time to support when needed. Eleanor was fully involved with our school activities and extra curricular sports. David was into baseball & hockey while Tania was busy with swimming and dancing. Denis working hard at Dofasco, and Mom focused on building her hair dressing business was so they could take us on annual holidays. Scotland was a regular holiday, but they also took us to Florida and Myrtle Beach. Treasure Island, Florida, became our annual spring vacation and often times included Uncle Alec and close friends, the Paul Family.

As Tania & David were in their teens, Eleanor was blessed to become an Aunt to her sister Lillian's kids... Breandan, Shelley and Jordan. As her kids were teens, she was able to enjoy babies and toddlers again, and this was a wonderful focus in the 80's for Eleanor.

From when she was 15 to her mid 70's... Eleanor was always working hard and working to improve her skills to maintain financial independence and never to become complacent. During many challenges over the years, she found new ways to improve her professional life and create a stable life for herself and family. Courses taken included Dale Carnegie, professional make up courses, she became an esthetician, professionally modelled, and then became a stylist. Her determination, stubbornness and independent streaks made her such a fighter. When Eleanor had anything knock her down, she got back up and reinvented herself to fight through the tough times in life. This lead to what mom said was her favourite job... Make up Artist for the Red Green Show and working at CHCH TV. The friendships became life long friends, and it was job she treasured.

By 2000 & 2001... Eleanor had become a mother in law. Tania married Eric Nash in 2000, and David married Holly in 2001. A new chapter, and more good things to look forward to. By 2003, her dream job came along... She had her first grand daughter, Quinn Annalie. Mom embraced being a grand mother in every way. She was blessed to have Levi Denis Samuel arrive in 2005, and then Georgia Molly Ellen arrive in 2009. They soon became her " Monday Night Crew". For 17 years, the spent Mondays at Eleanor's house. Even as they grew up with sports, school and friends.... she appreciated that the Mondays were just as important to them. From playing games as kids, to learning about 60's music, TV and movies, to becoming well versed in Scottish History... Mondays were her favourite day of the week til the very end. Her nicknames for them as babies, were still their names at 19, 17 and 13. Quinn "Buttercup", Levi "Mr. Sunshine", and Georgia "Angel Pie".... every moment with them was the greatest gift to Eleanor. Trips to Scotland, Florida, a Cruise, New York and Barbados were enjoyed as a family. Eleanor also travelled to Italy with Tania, and Canmore with Tania & Eric... Mom was an amazing travel companion.

In August 2022, Eleanor returned to Scotland to tour with her cousin and travel companion, Margaret. She also had planned to reunite again with her elementary school friends from Queen Victoria Drive school. We consider it a great blessing that our mom could experience this trip. She toured St Andrews, Oban and Loch Lomond. She stayed at the best, most luxurious hotels...splurging for once on herself. She had a fabulous reunion her school pals and her cousins, William and his family. The photos from this trip are especially precious as no one knew what was to happen after being home for 10 days. On August 26th, we found out Mom had stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. The fact that she was working up until the day of her diagnosis, that she had travelled to her homeland and had such a memorable trip was a testament to her strength and determination.

Mom had a brief illness, but we could experience so much with her during this time. She was able to visit with dear friends, share lots of laughter and reminisce about her wonderful life. The love and generosity shown to her kept her going...she kept saying she was living on love. We were given the gift of time... she knew how loved she was, and we knew without a doubt how much she loved us. She laughed at becoming room mates with Tania & Eric. She said she felt it was a great fit...and we felt the same way. She had daily visits from friends, but every night ended with her immediate family by her side often reliving funny stories from a life well lived.

We were blessed to see our mom at peace, and continuing to share life lessons with us up until the day she passed.

"Love Deep, Forgive Quickly, Laugh, Slow down and enjoy each other.... " Eleanor's words of wisdom.

Our favourite book "Tuesdays with Morrie"... we sometimes felt our Mom and Morrie would have been good friends. When mom felt the cancer worsening, she loved his quote "When you learn how to die, you learn how to live"... when she heard that, she said "He was a smart wee man.". Her other favourite quote from the Mitch Albom book, "One More Day" - "I realized when you look at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know." David and I were most definitely lucky to experience that.

Eleanor passed peacefully on Tuesday October 18, 2022 with her family, Tania & Eric, David & Holly and niece Shelley by her side.

"Love wins, love always wins".

* * * * * * * * * *

As Old Blue Eyes said "I Did It My Way"... that was how Eleanor Hamill lived her life.

Born on April 20, 1947 in Glasgow Scotland and passed away peacefully with her family by her side on October 18, 2022. Eleanor grew up surrounded by her 4 pillars; her Mom, Ellen Hamill, her treasured Uncle Alec and her two grandparents, Granny & Daddy Hamill. She was loved unconditionally and that foundation prepared her for all of the beautiful parts of life and also helped her overcome challenges. She was married at 17 to Denis Dick, moved to Canada at 19, and became a mother at 22. Her life was her kids, Tania Nash (Dick), and David Dick. A wonderful career as a Hair Dresser, Makeup Artist, Model, Style Consultant...but her first priority was always being a Mom and Nan to her three angels; Quinn, Levi & Georgia.

Throughout her brief illness, it was incredible for her family to hear about all of the friendships she nurtured. Her love of bringing joy and entertaining brought groups of people together who now have life long friendships. Her favourite book, "Tuesdays with Morrie" had so many gems that really could have been written by our mom... she read this book about 10 times, and shared it with everyone she loved. So much of Morrie was in our mom... "Giving to other people makes me feel alive. Not my car or my house. Not what I look like in the mirror. When I give my time, when I can make someone smile after they were feeling sad." That was our Mom.

We lost Eleanor far too soon, but are beyond grateful for every moment we had with her. Her grace, love and determination kept her with us longer. She leaves behind Tania & Eric Nash, David Dick & Holly Redpath, her three loves of her life... Georgia "Angel Pie", Levi "Mr. Sunshine", and Quinn "Buttercup", her beloved sister Lillian Hamill and her niece Shelley Mackenzie, nephews Jordan and Breandan Boyle and their families, and Denis Dick.

From one of our favourite movies, "Remember, no man is a failure who has friends." Mom, you were then the most successful person we knew. We know you will always be with us, and we bet you are already an angel with your wings. Special thank you to Dr. Samantha Winemaker and Bill Froelich R.M.T. You both were angels to our mom providing her comfort and care to the very end.

Funeral: Monday, October 31st at 11:00am, Cresmount Funeral Home, 322 Fennell Ave East, Hamilton, followed by a Celebration of Life at Ye Olde Squire, 1508 Upper James St. from 12pm to 4:30pm.

" Love wins, love always wins".