Obituary of Eleanor Vesey

Eleanor Jean Vesey (Schappert) of Gravelbourg, SK, age 86, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026, with family by her side. Eleanor was born February 1, 1940, to parents Jacob and Mary Schappert of Bateman, SK. The 13th of 14 children, Eleanor spent her childhood in Bateman, going to school, helping with work at home and taking care of her favourite animals, such as ducks and her cat. In 1956, she met a farm boy from the Shamrock area named Duane Vesey, son of Charles and Amy Vesey. Duane and Eleanor soon fell in love and were married on June 5, 1959. In 1962 They moved to their first farm, where they began farming and raising a family. Duane and Ellie, as he often called her, had two children, a son, Brad and a daughter, Linda. The family eventually settled on a farm northeast of Shamrock, where Duane and Eleanor would reside until after their retirement. Eleanor worked at the Credit Union in Shamrock and was always active in the community, whether it was a sports day, an auction sale or a game at the rink, you would often find Eleanor there serving lunch or helping out in some way. Duane and Eleanor attended church in Kelstern, SK, for many years and were very devoted to their faith, enjoying going to church service, bible study or teaching at Sunday School. Eleanor always loved getting together for a coffee or tea with all her old friends as well as her many new friends from the Villa in Gravelbourg, where she most recently called home. Along with working in town and raising two children, Ellie, living on a grain and cattle farm, was always involved in the farm work, be it hauling bales or grain, milking cows, or preparing the meals for the other workers in the field; she was always up for a hard day's work. While often busy, Duane and Eleanor always found the time to enjoy life. They loved to travel, whether it was a family vacation, a trip with friends or just a drive to the city for a nice meal, they always enjoyed being on the go. Together they loved attending church and community events, hosting friends or family for a meal, listening to and attending gospel and country music concerts, and took great pride in growing beautiful flowers, an orchard and a very large garden, while keeping a spotless yard and house, and the daily highlight of which wild animal might wander or fly into their yard, just so they could watch it from their living room window.

Eleanor had a great love of wildlife and was an avid bird watcher. While Eleanor had many hobbies and pastimes, nothing could rival the importance and love she had for her family. Duane and Eleanor were married at 19 and spent 63 wonderful years together until Duane’s passing in 2022. They built a life together on a foundation of kindness, generosity, hard work, and true love, a love that would only grow as their family grew when Brad and then Linda were born. Eleanor was a wonderful mother, loving, nurturing, and fun, while at the same time, everyone always knew who was in charge. Eleanor always knew what was best and would do anything for her kids. She was always very proud of them and loved them both so much. This continued as the family grew again, and Duane and Eleanor became Papa and Nan and welcomed 4 grandchildren and then 4 great grandchildren. Nan loved being a grandmother as her and Papa were always entertaining the grandchildren, taking them on trips, playing games, or setting up the yearly easter egg hunt. They always had something fun planned, but even the grandchildren knew that one person was always in charge, always Nan. Some of Eleanor's favourite times were family get-togethers, especially wiener roasts at the fire pit, but any meal at all, she loved to feed people and she was the best at it. You didn’t even have to be family; with a perfectly timed phone call or visit, anyone would be invited in for a meal as well. Family was everything to Eleanor, and she always kept in touch to be sure everyone was doing well and to see if she and Duane could help them in any way. Eleanor was so happy to see all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in her final days, as she had wished. In her immediate family, Nan was a rock to lean on, a shoulder to cry on, there with advice if you could use it, help when you needed it, or a hug when that was the only answer.

Eleanor is survived by her son Brad Vesey, grandchildren Tara and Megan (Devin), and great-grandchildren Cash, Henrik, Knox and Vanessa, as well as her daughter Linda Smuk (Mike), grandchildren Jeff (Zabryna) and Alan. Sisters Elaine Essien and Cora Lee Found (Gary). Sisters-in-law Joyce Idt (Cecil) and Carol Riecken. Eleanor Jean Vesey. Wife, mother, nan, sister, cousin, neighbour and friend.

The leader of her family is a follower of Christ. Honest, kind, and strong. Multiple-time cancer survivor who learned what it means not to be afraid. Unafraid to die as she was unafraid to live. Unafraid to trust, unafraid to believe, and unafraid to help someone. Unafraid of hard work, and unafraid to speak her mind, but above all else, she was never afraid to love. Eleanor, Ellie, Mom, or Nan will always be loved by her family and friends and forever missed by all who knew her. At Eleanor's request, no service will be held.