Remembering Eleanor Louise Smith (Robertson)

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​Eleanor died peacefully on February 10, 2023 in her 94th year, with her family by her side.

Eleanor is lovingly remembered by her children Roxanne (Terry), Greg (Candy) and Andrea (Terry). She was the much loved grandmother of Jenna (Rich), Marley (Jason), Tamara (Matthew), Breanne, Alexandra (Justin), Ainsley (Ian), Scott (Towella) and Graham (Denise). Eleanor was the proud great grandmother of Clara, Mia, Penny, Isla, Carter, Nella and Emmett. She​
is survived by her dear sister Gertrude and her 6 nieces and nephew. Eleanor was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, James Carlson, her parents Lewis and Reta, and her siblings Lewis and Mary.

Eleanor was born on Oct. 16, 1928 in the historic town of Shelburne N.S. After graduating from Shelburne Regional High School she moved to Toronto where she received her Honours B.A. from the University of Toronto. She was thrilled to attend her 65th UofT reunion with her daughter Andrea. Eleanor also received her teaching certificate from the Ontario College of Education and her M.Sc. from the University of Manitoba.

Eleanor began her Home Economics teaching career in Kenora, Ontario. When Jim's military career brought them to Zweibrucken, Germany, she taught at 3 Wing. She completed her teaching career in Winnipeg, Manitoba at Grant Park High School where all three of her children attended. During that time, she co-wrote the Family Studies textbook This is the Life.

When Eleanor retired from teaching, she and Jim moved back to her family home in Shelburne. Jim and Eleanor were passionate world travelers who loved to entertain. She was a wonderful cook who combined her love of food and history to publish a cookbook entitled Loyalist Foods in Today's Recipes.

Eleanor became a certified genealogist and wrote several books tracing the roots of a variety of Nova Scotia families. She also edited the Lost Mariners of Shelburne County and co-authored the Veterans of Shelburne County. Eleanor was a founding president of the Shelburne County Genealogical Society.

Another passion of Eleanor's was rug hooking. One of her pictorial rugs of West Blanche was featured in A Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs IV and she has some pieces displayed in the NS Rug Hooking museum.

The family is grateful for the incredible care that Eleanor received at Ridgewood retirement home in Bridgewater.

If desired, donations to the Shelburne County Archives & Genealogical Society or the Shelburne Loyalist Food Bank would be gratefully received.

A celebration of Eleanor's life will take place on Sunday July 30, 2023 from Huskilson's Funeral Chapel, 58 Bulkley Street, Shelburne, N.S. Online messages of condolence may be made here.

Original obituary from legacy.com.