Elaine Gosselin

With family by her side, at the Pinecrest Home for the Aged in Kenora, Elaine Gosselin passed away peacefully at the age of 79. Elaine was born and raised in Winnipeg, and later moved to Kenora, Ontario, where she lived for over 30 years.

It was evident at birth that Elaine would be faced with lifelong physical challenges which made upright mobility difficult and eventually impossible. She spent the better part of her childhood at the Shriner’s Hospital, where she underwent numerous operations to help provide her with the best possible life. Despite these barriers (or perhaps because of them), Elaine always strived to be fiercely independent. She loved camping, canoeing, horseback riding, and held a driver’s licence. One of her biggest accomplishments, she says, is raising her daughter on her own, and then becoming a loving and doting grandma to her grandson.

Elaine enjoyed music and was seldom without her guitar, randomly breaking out in song. She had a talent (and generosity) for knitting, and many family members and friends are fortunate enough to own a blanket or scarf created by Elaine. She was very active in her community and could light up any room she entered. Everybody knew Elaine. She worked briefly for Energy and Mines in Winnipeg, and, after moving to Kenora, volunteered for several years for the Alzheimer’s Society, ironically, the very disease that robbed her of the independence she so valiantly fought for.

Elaine was predeceased by her parents Victor and Simone Gosselin, sister Lee and her husband Gerry, brother Jerry, and infant sister Yvette.

She will be very sadly missed by her daughter Tamara and grandson Jordan, as well as sisters Mimi and Michele, and in-laws Dale and Suzanne. Elaine was thrilled to meet her son Kelly as an adult and enjoyed some brief time with him before his move out west to BC.

A Celebration of Elaine’s life will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank the exceptional staff at the Pinecrest Home for the Aged in Kenora (particularly Unit 1), for their outstanding care and compassion during Elaine’s stay.

In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada Alzheimer.ca/ElaineGosselin in Elaine’s memory.