With great sadness the family of Elaine Copland announces her passing at the age of 82 years. Elaine was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, attended Bishop’s University in Lennoxville, Quebec, and began her career as teacher in Montreal. In 1969 she married John Copland of Montreal, and after a posting in the Philippines they made Ottawa home base between postings to Kenya and Zimbabwe, and many other travels. Over the course of her life, their travels spanned five continents, and inspired a love of travel, multiculturalism and continuous learning in their children. When in Canada, summers were spent at the cottage on Lac Marois in the Laurentian town of Sainte-Anne-des-Lacs, Quebec.
Elaine also worked as a teacher in Hull, Quebec (now Gatineau). However, Elaine’s volunteer experience at the Nairobi National Museum during her stay in Kenya inspired her to contemplate a career change. In time she put this dream into practice, working at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (now known as the Canadian Museum of History) in Gatineau, where she could combine her love of history and pre-history, with her teaching experience and put it into practice.
In her retirement, Elaine maintained her affiliation with the museum as a passionate volunteer, cherry picking the exhibits she found most interesting! She was also an active member of the Canadian Federation of University Women’s Gatineau Trails Society, involved in cycling, hiking and cross-country skiing. Her fitness level was truly inspiring, and she participated in 10 Cross Country Ski Marathons.
Elaine is survived by her husband John, her daughter Lindsay (David Stewart) and grandson Malcolm, and her son Blair (Connie Higgs). She is predeceased by her father Mowbray Clark, her mother Aldeth Clark (nee Adams), both of Montreal, and her brother Paul Clark, of Milton Keynes, U.K.
A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy at this time to consider making a donation to the Red Cross or to Médecins Sans Frontières.
Elaine was a member of CFUW ski group and will be fondly remembered by everyone. Joyce