Eleanor B. Coulter

Eleanor B. Coulter was born on September 30, 1912 in Nelson Township., Halton County at the family farm just south of the Village of Lowville and what is now #6042 Guelph Line, Burlington. She was the fifth child and second daughter of Edwin B. Coulson and Eleanor (Ella) Gunby. Three more siblings were to join the family.

Eleanor grew up in a very loving, busy household. She attended school in the Village, S.S. # 9, Nelson Township, situated on the banks of the Twelve Mile Creek, graduating with Honours from Elementary School at the age of twelve!

When old enough, days were spent picking flowers and berries; helping to make maple syrup; making scrap books; reading; taking cold drinks to men working in the fields; getting the cows in for milking; swimming; cleaning coal oil lamps; and music lessons. Church membership was at Lowville United and attendance was constant.

She married Roy Coulter on September 30, 1936 and they made their home in the community for 49 years. For many years, Roy and Eleanor enjoyed the summer cottage on Loon Bay at Dorset on Kawagama Lake. Their winter home in Lakeland, Florida was a respite for 10 years. They raised a family of three children, son Lynne, and twins Eugene and Dawn. Eleanor enjoyed being Grandma to 7 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

Eleanor was very involved in the community and Church. Sunday School teacher; pianist and organist; member of Women’s Missionary Society; Women’s Institute; Folk Schools; reporter of local events for several years to 2 weekly newspapers; opinion-editor of columns of interest to women; helped compile and edit the Gunby Family History as well as the Lowville United Church History; charter member of the Milton Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star Lodge.

She felt one of her greatest achievements was when as an “at home student” of the Famous Writers School, a course that took 3 years of writing assignments and assessments by their teaching staff, she received a Certificate of Attainment for her years of hard work.

Eleanor loved history and wrote a book she called “A Time to Keep” – a story of a people (family, neighbours, friends) and of a place (Lowville). She made over 200 copies distributed to family and friends.

After her beloved Roy passed away in 1985, Eleanor moved to Lacombe, Alberta in 1989. There she continued her writing and contributed articles to different publications. Her greatest pleasure was writing and receiving letters from family and old friends.

Eleanor passed away peacefully on March 12, 2002 in her 90th year. Her ashes are interred with Roy in the Lowville United Church Cemetery.

For her much limited formal education, Eleanor accomplished much in her long life. She felt the need to “learn something new everyday”.

Articles contributed by Eleanor B. Coulter: