Eloise Helene Defayette

Eloise was born on March 7th, 1931 to parents Mary Ann and Edward Hallet MacInnis.  She had 2 brothers, Roderick and Edward Jr., and a sister, Anitra.  Eloise was schooled by the Loretto Sisters.  She graduated from the University of Toronto in 1956 with a Bachelor of Household Science.  That same year, Eloise and John (Jack) Francis Defayette married.  They were best friends and business partners for 62 years.

During her university days, Eloise found work in Newfoundland where she toured and gave cooking demonstrations.  After graduation and as a young Mother, she shared her passion for cooking by contributing her favourite recipes to the local newspaper, the Clarion.  She loved to bake and was famous for her pecan, rhubarb and lemon meringue pies.  She also loved to gab and the recipe column evolved into conversations with Eloise.  She enjoyed poetry and liked to rhyme.

Eloise was imaginative and creative.  She dabbled with all sorts of crafts, macramé, weaving, batik, candle making, painting, porcelain, clay and crochet.  Like her, the crochet was extraordinary.  Her creations were amorphous with invented stitches.  She was fashionable.  Her interest in fabric and textiles lead her to rug making.  She experimented with natural dyes to produce magnificent pieces.  She taught classes at Nepean’s ‘5 below’ and demonstrated crafting techniques for the public library.

Eloise was an enthusiastic participant when it came to all things “Jack”.  Upon his suggestion, she quickly immersed herself in the travel industry.  She looked up fares, routes and regulations in the original OAG and hand wrote airline tickets before the computer age.  She then learned GALILEO and SABRE GDS formats.   She assisted both corporate and leisure travelers.  She ensured vacation dreams never exceeded the traveler’s budget.  Eloise successfully managed Nepean Travel and Camosun Travel in Victoria.  Eloise was an inspiration to her adult kids, several of whom followed her into the business.

Eloise had exquisite and eclectic taste like a treasured fine bone china tea cup at a rummage sale.  She was exotic.  She loved music.  And was thrilled to join the ‘Friends of Music Society’ at the Eric Martin Theatre.  Eloise cherished her many friendships.  She was grateful for the entire community at Shannon Oaks who welcomed and appreciated her.  She was thankful for the medical team at the Royal Jubilee Hospital who cared and guided her during her final days.

Eloise passed away peacefully at the Royal Jubilee Hospital on January 19th, 2024.

Eloise is survived by her children, Robert (Shaughnessy), John E. (Cary), Chris (Ann), Mark (Samantha), Mary (John) and Genie, her many dearly loved grandchildren and their partners and all of her wonderful great-grandchildren who brought her so much joy, and her numerous nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

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