Eleanor was born in 1921 to Frank and Bernice (Wright) Linnell. She, her sister Esther and brother Bernard grew up on the family farm near Summerberry, SK. She attended Summerberry School and then entered the Regina General Hospital School of Nursing in 1940, receiving her RN in 1943.
Eleanor worked at the Regina General Hospital for a period of time immediately following her graduation. She then moved to Toronto and worked at Toronto Western Hospital until December of 1944. Eleanor pursued further studies and gained new qualifications and job experience while she was in eastern Canada. During the period from 1945 to 1952, Eleanor received her certificate in teaching and supervision from McGill University, her operating room techniques certificate from Toronto Western Hospital, and worked in psychiatric nursing at Westminster Hospital in London, Ontario. In 1953, she received her B.Sc. in Nursing degree from Western University in London, Ontario. In 1946 – 1947, after attending McGill, Eleanor worked in the Ottawa City Hospital as an operating room scrub nurse for an eye doctor who performed cataract operations. She also spent one or two enjoyable summers as camp nurse for a camp outside Ottawa.
Eleanor returned to Regina in the 1950s and was a tutor of Anatomy and Physiology in the Central Teaching Program. In 1957, she joined the Navy Reserve as a Nursing Officer. From 1958 – 1964, she served as Operating Room Instructor for the Regina General Hospital School of Nursing. In June, 1964, she accepted the position of Associate Director of Nursing Education at RGH, and then in 1967, the position of Director of Nursing Education. She was granted a one-year leave of absence from her position in order to complete her degree in Education at the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus. She returned to the General Hospital in 1968 as Director of the School of Nursing, a post she held until the school’s closure in 1972.
In 1972 – 1973, Eleanor worked as a Nursing Supervisor/Consultant with the Department of Education, taking on the job of preparing material and finding staff within that year to assist in the teaching and/or supervision of operating room nursing students. In 1973, she accepted the position of Operating Room Techniques Program Supervisor at Wascana Institute (SIAST), where she worked until her retirement in 1986. She commented that this last position was one of her favourites because she was able to teach and work clinically with the students.
The nursing profession and friendships made during training were an important part of Eleanor’s life. She enjoyed keeping in touch with the RGH nursing graduates and was active in the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association. She served as SRNA President from 1971 to 1972 and was later granted a lifetime membership.
In 1974, Eleanor married Frank Stundon. They had a restaurant business in Grenfell, SK called Lyn’s Loft, which they operated until 1987. When Eleanor was still working in Regina, she would drive to Grenfell on weekends to see Frank and give him some time off while she was there. They enjoyed many happy years together until Frank’s passing in 1995. Eleanor continued to reside in Grenfell following Frank’s death and was active in that community until her move in 2016 to Lakeside Home in Wolseley.
Eleanor stressed the value of education and opportunities for women. She had a wide variety of interests including travel, genealogy, supporting the Roughriders, and weekly bridge games with a longstanding group of friends. She was a member of Grenfell United Church and the Grenfell branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Eleanor was predeceased by her husband Frank, brother Bernard, sister-in-law Marguerite (Stundon) Black, and brothers-in-law Vern Skibsted, Charlie Stundon, Vernon Stundon, Ronald Stundon, and Terry Stundon. Eleanor is survived by her sister Esther Skibsted of Calgary, AB and sisters-in-law Shirley Linnell of Wolseley, SK and Carol Stundon of Sainte-Julie, QC. Through her marriage to Frank Stundon, Eleanor had numerous step-children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in BC and overseas. She had a special place in the lives of her nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families as well. Eleanor will be fondly remembered by her friends and large extended family.
A service will be held in 2021. In lieu of flowers, should friends so wish, donations in Eleanor’s memory may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Many thanks to Dr. Pebane and the staff at Lakeside Home for the excellent care and kindness shown to Eleanor during her time there.
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