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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Daniel Doucet
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Margot Magee I am one of Eloise’s classmates in Mac56. She was a special person and always a lot of fun. When we did food demonstrations hers were the best! Did not know she did so many things after graduation ( besides raising 5 kids) I have lived in Vancouver for many years and when she and Jack moved to Victoria we had some special reunions . Both she and Jack were great hostess/host.my sympathies to all the family . She took special pride in the achievements of her grandchildren. Sincerely Margot Magee
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Joe Lewis Peace be with you Eloise. Here’s to a life well lived.
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Shelley Innes Oh, Mary. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you journey through this. Never easy (not supposed to be), but in time hopefully your memories from over the years will bring you comfort. Sending hugs and love, Shelley and Serge
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Maureen Bourke Dear Mary,
I am so sorry to hear that your Mom passed away. Although I never met Eloise, I feel I know her through this wonderful obituary that was clearly written with so much love. I know that this will be such a difficult time for you and the family, but know your Mom is with you in your heart wherever you go, and that she is now residing in God’s grace and love.
Praying for strength for all of you in the coming days, weeks and months ahead.
Maureen
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Anita Kealey My Deepest sympathy to Eloise’s family. I knew her when she lived in Manordale and enjoyed many good conversations with her. Eloise was such a genuine person and so much fun. She was a lady ahead of her time and so talented in so many areas.
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Sue (Parrott) Hannah Deepest sympathies.
I remember your mom fondly growing up in both Manordale and Barrhaven. She was a great woman.
Sue
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Beth Gibson & Emily Gibson Condolences to the Defayette family, from the Gibson family in Victoria. My lasting memory of Eloise is of her and my mom in vibrant & engaging conversation on several occasions only about 6-7 years ago, during visits together in my mother’s home in the Cook St village. I know my mom really enjoyed this time, as she wasn’t getting out as much in those days. I was delighted to see them connect again as their connection went back decades. I was told that Eloise, our neighbour, babysat me as a baby, in those days on Ilkley Crescent in Ottawa. And, that Eloise let my mom borrow her blender so she could try it out first hand. My mom was sold on this essential kitchen gadget heading out to buy one, to apparently make baby food for me, or whoever was the newest Gibson girl at the time. Thanks Eloise! We all will remember you ever so fondly.
Beth Gibson and Emily Gibson – Victoria, BC
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Nancy Raitt 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
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Ellie Malloy 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.
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Karen Skowron Oh, I remember Eloise! She and I shared so much. So many memories! Hugs to all her family.
Love. Karen
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Tomy Valookaran 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.
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Helen Valiquet 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
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Terrie 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
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Cathy Mathieson What a rich and wonderful life Eloise enjoyed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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Annemaree Peters 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.
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Janet Gillespie 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
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Dale Horeczy 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!
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Ann and Bob Foster We are thinking of you Mary and hope you will find comfort in knowing your mom lived a full life and has left you and your family with many memories.
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Ginger Mary
M’lov, your mother’s life – wow- wish I had known her, she was a big spirit, so inspired! I get to know her through you and you’re a lot like your mom, strong and tenacious! Yee gets er done! It’s beautiful that she’s left a piece of her passion in each of you. So much to celebrate in your mom!
Love you!
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Laura Hatfield What an incredible life Eloise had!
Sending love and condolences to her family.
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Belle Hatfield My condolences to Eloise’s family and extended community of friends. How extraordinary that she remained so engaged, not only maintaining friendships but continuing to make new ones throughout her long life. Her curiosity and fearlessness are part of her legacy. Eloise never ceased seeking — the next destination, a new musical experience, the next yard sale. May her spirit live on through all who knew her.
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Maureen Dufour Mary, you take after your Mom in so many ways – your spirit of adventure, your passion for creative endeavours, your love of quilting and knitting but most of all, your love of family.
She lives on in all of you – may she rest in peace now and may that peace fill your own hearts as you grieve her physical presence in your lives.
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Louise My sincerest condolences to family and friends.
Louise
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Shaughnessy Reid Eloise enriched my life with conversations, laughter, shared stories, and thoughtful gifts ranging from small, like a crocheted scarf, to the profound gift of raising my wonderful husband. I can’t thank her enough.
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Brenda Reinkeluers What a lovely tribute to a extraordinary woman whose gifts have been transferred to her children. May the family find solace in knowing that her legacy lives on. Condolences to everyone and a very safe journey for Eloise as she makes her trek back to her beloved Jack.
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Martha Dougherty Mary,
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.
Peace to all of you as you both celebrate a life well lived and mourn a mother, wife, daughter, grandmother and great grandmother. Grieve well. ❤️
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Shirley Smith Eloise was my wonderful best friend.
Mary,
I never met your mother and only talked to her once on the telephone. But I am old enough to remember her father, a handsome and kind man, who once visited us in Belle Cote, Cape Breton, where his mother, my grandfather’s sister, was born. I also met most of his sisters. In the photo of her, she looks like her aunt Mae, a delightful person. Know that they are all remembered fondly in Cape Breton.
Dan Doucet