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
28 Responses
I am so sad to hear about Eloise leaving all of you.
I missed that one last visit to see her again in Victoria…
What a special and interesting lady. So sorry she’s gone.
Lots of love to all of the family.
Nancy
Sorry to hear about my old friend passing away. Wishing we had been in contact for the past few years. My regards to the family.
Oh, I remember Eloise! She and I shared so much. So many memories! Hugs to all her family.
Love. Karen
Hi Mary, I want to offer my prayers and condolences to you and your loved ones. May Our God hold you all close in your grief. Your Mom lead a very impressive life as I read the obituary. See you hopefully at the conference.
Eloise and I, with our late husbands, Jack and Mike, shared many great times together. We shared grandchildren, who we agreed were “perfect”, and we loved watching them mature and succeed in various careers. She was always cheerful and we just liked being together. In later years, we both lost our husbands too soon. We stayed in touch during various moves and I feel very sad to know that she has now left her lovely family. My sincere condolences to all of them. Much love, Helen Valiquet
Mary, Genie, Mark, and family! Thankfully I was able to have your dear mother as our Best friend while living in Victoria. It was too bad to have only known Jack for a short time before he left us in Sept that year. You have all been so truly blessed as a family and I’m sure will keep those stories, laughter and love with you here until you meet again! Gary and I feel extremely social to have met your dear mother and a lot of the family. (Many through your mother’s shared stories). She had a heart of gold and was willing to help all she could. Everyone knew her, loved her!
I will miss her dearly. RIP Eloise, Give Jack a too!!!
Love
Terrie and Gary
What a rich and wonderful life Eloise enjoyed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Mary, So sorry for your loss. She certainly sounded like a wonderful human and I can only imagine how deeply she will be missed by all who loved her.
Mary, I am so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing, she led such an interesting and fulfilling life, I learned a lot more about her by reading that wonderful obituary. My deepest condolences and my thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Always remember the good memories. Love Janet
Mary and John,
Very sorry for your loss – she lived quite a life and was a special lady – we can see where you get it from Mary!