Eleanor Arleen Daly

June 26, 1925 – March 18, 2026

After 100 years of singing her way through life, the beloved Eleanor Arleen Daly (née Jost) passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 18. She was quick-witted and spirited, and she made everyone she met feel seen and loved.

Eleanor’s two great loves were her faith and her music, and the two were rarely far apart. Born into a family with deep roots in the United Church — her grandfather and great-grandfather were ministers, and two aunts served as missionaries in Japan — Eleanor carried that faith with her every day of her life. She was a cherished member of the choir at Emmanuel United (formerly George Street United) for 50 years, and also sang with the Jubilaires, the Peterborough Symphony Choir, and Interlink. A gifted soprano, she performed as a guest soloist in churches and once recorded an album of songs as a Christmas gift for her parents — the kind of gesture that tells you everything about who she was.

Eleanor came to Ontario to teach, eventually making Peterborough her home. She taught biology and went on to spend 25 fulfilling years as a guidance counsellor at Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute, quietly shaping the lives of countless young people. Giving her time to children in the community was something she never stopped doing, continuing into her retirement.

She volunteered with the Multiple Sclerosis Society — a cause close to her heart, having watched family members live with the disease — and with the Canadian Mental Health Association. She also visited friends and patients at the hospital, because showing up for people was simply what Eleanor did.

In her retirement years, Eleanor and her beloved husband Charley — the love of her life and her partner of 69 years — travelled the East Coast to visit family, enjoyed Caribbean cruises, and wintered in Florida. Eleanor loved to travel, and she loved even more to come home with stories to share.

Eleanor will be lovingly remembered by her children: Dr. Charles Daly (Carol); Mary Daly (Walter) and Audrey Daly; daughter-in-law Nellie; her grandchildren: James (Susan); Gavin (Heather); Scott (Lauren); Suzanne; Johanna (Sam); Eleanor (Luke); and great grandchildren Lauren, Jaymeson, and Woods. She is predeceased by her loving husband Charley, her son Victor, her parents Archibald Troop Jost and Hazel Arleen Gray, and her four siblings Roland, Joanna, Reloy and Norman.

A celebration of life will be held in the chapel at Princess Gardens, 100 Charlotte Street, Peterborough on Friday, March 27th from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Her ashes will be spread off a lighthouse point in Yarmouth, NS, with family, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eleanor’s name to Hospice Peterborough, 325 London Street, Peterborough, ON K9H 2Z5, or online at hospicepeterborough.org

The family extends deep gratitude to the staff at Princess Gardens and Hospice Peterborough for the loving care they gave to Eleanor.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made at www.ComstockKaye.com