With great sadness, we announce that Frances Elizabeth “Lenore” Edom (Edmonds) passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, March 30, 2023, in the Davidson Health Centre.
Lenore will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but especially by her much loved children Gary (Karen) Edom, Rick (Norma) Edom and Wendy (Steve) Bareham; her grandchildren Sheri (Donnie) Emling, Alison (Scott) Judd, and Joanne Edom (Jordie Gagnon); and great-grandchildren Benjamin and Emerson Maunder, Louis Judd, Sophie, Sam, and Gus Tyndall, and Beck Gagnon. She also leaves to mourn her loss, her brother George (Evelyn) Edmonds, and sister-in-law Esther Edmonds as well as many nieces and nephews. Lenore was predeceased by her husband Harry, parents Bessie and George Edmonds, brothers Harold (Joyce), Henry, and Clayton Edmonds, sister-in-law Elsie Edmonds, brother-in-law Roger Edom and parents-in-law Maud and Henry Edom.
Lenore was born in Major, Sask. on October 27th, 1924, to Bessie and William Edmonds. She was the only daughter, surrounded by three older and one younger brother. She grew up on a homestead two miles north of Major. Her mother, a nurse, was very busy outside the home tending to the sick and injured in the area, so Lenore was often “the woman” of the house. She found great joy helping to raise her younger brother George, and when her older brothers went to fight in the 2nd world war, she worked in the fields with her dad. Growing up in the “dirty 30s” taught her the importance of friends, family and helping others less fortunate than herself.
Lenore followed in her mom’s footsteps and trained as a nurse in the Regina General Hospital. Upon her graduation in 1947, she moved to Davidson, thinking a small town was the ideal place to work and save enough money to travel and see the world. But the world became no bigger than Davidson when she met Harry and married him on October 20th, 1948. She and Harry bought the Men’s Wear store from W.A. Speedie. Harry ran the store while she helped at the hospital. Lenore particularly loved to work in the operating room and often poured ether or scrubbed for surgeries.
In 1954 they sold that business and went into partnership with Pat Eddie to buy the Midway Store. The family moved to live above the store where they raised their three children Gary, Wendy, and Rick. They settled down as a happy family creating many wonderful memories. Summers were spent at Etter’s Beach, as Lenore didn’t want her children playing beside the busy Highway 11 and main street of Davidson. Although Harry worked in the store all summer, he came every Wednesday afternoon and Sunday to spend time with the family on his days off.
But there were tough times too, like when Lenore caught polio in 1952. Fortunately, she recovered, only slightly maimed, although post-polio syndrome caused her a lot of pain and suffering in her later years.
Lenore was active in the UCW, the Eastern Star and Hospital Aid. She was known as a kind, loving and compassionate woman. She willingly helped anyone in need and always put her family’s needs and aspirations ahead of her own. She gave up her nursing career to help the man she loved run a busy store. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are her most treasured legacy and she will live on in our hearts forever.
A family grave-side service will be held at a later date.
For those so wishing, memorial donations in memory of Lenore may be directed to the Davidson Health Trust Fund, cheques payable to the Town of Davidson.
Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.
