Anna Marguerite McElroy (Connor)

                                      Much loved daughter, sister, wife, and mother.

The family of Anna Marguerite McElroy sadly announce her passing on December 24, 2020. She was born to the late Julia Margaret (Morton) Connor and Ambrose Sylvester Connor in Kingston, Nova Scotia on October 30, 1924.

Predeceased by her husband John Moray McElroy, her sister Edith Chute, brother Paul Connor, and brother Blake Connor, sister-in law Margaret Mable McElroy, brother-in-law James McElroy (late Lorna), sister-in-law Mary Evelyn McElroy, and sister-in-law Catherine Mulligan (Jim).

Survived by her son Andrew and daughter Patricia, both of Ottawa, brother-in law Earl Chute (late Edith) of Middleton,  Nova Scotia, sister-in-law, Ann Connor (late Paul) of Halifax, Nova Scotia, sister-in-law Ann Taylor (late John) of Whitecourt Alberta, sister-in-law, Brenda McNulty (late Rod) Renfrew, Ontario.  Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Mom was always optimistic, grateful and young at heart. Many will remember her for her great laugh and there was always lots of laughter. She was a lover of poetry, Shakespeare, and the daily newspaper.  She memorized poetry by heart and could often be heard reciting favourite poems.  She would read newspapers end to end and tell us everything she found interesting and that was just about everything. Well into her 90’s, she spend countless hours working in the garden, raking leaves, trimming trees, and weeding until there was not one leaf, branch out of  place, or weed to be found. Our two Westies, Trella and Wrenley will miss her letting them in and out at every whim. She loved cooking shows and liked to try different recipes. She enjoyed preparing for and teaching cooking classes, and taught Sunday school for many years.

Her life was a healthy one with no medical intervention until the past year and passed away after a short unexpected 10 day stay in hospital. She was always active, loved to walk and spent her last evening at home walking around the house, mopping floors and did the dishes.

Internment took place on January 5, 2021 at Beechwood Cemetery. A celebration of her life will take place at a graveside service in the spring.

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

– William Wordsworth (1802)