Bolger, Elinor in her 98th year moved on from this world to her heavenly home on Monday, February 3, 2025. Elinor is predeceased by her parents Martin and Margaret (Coffee) Bolger and siblings Rosemary Schnarr (Lloyd), Loreen Bolliger (Arnold), Martin, Alma Champagne (Jean), Betty, and Stanley. She is survived by her sister Joan Jonker and sister-in-law Marjorie Bolger. Elinor was the beloved aunt of many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews, for whom she modeled independence, perseverance, generosity, courage and endurance. She was raised on a pioneer farm in Puslinch, Ontario. In her early 20’s she was tasked with providing for and raising her younger siblings, following the deaths of both of their parents. She valued family, faith and hard work. Along with these values she strove for excellence in all she did. This was well noted in her career with the University of Guelph where she served 3 Vice Presidents and 3 Presidents between 1966 and 1992. She was known for her “loyalty, distinction and dedication to making the University an effectively run institution”. Elinor was an avid bridge player and greatly valued the friendships that evolved from her bridge years. She, like her siblings had a passion for nature and reading. She loved to go for drives past the farmstead and visit Puslinch Lake and the Old Marina and to spend time by the lake in Port Elgin.
Family and friends will be received at the Gilbert MacIntrye and Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon Street, Guelph where visitation will take place on Friday, February 14, 2025 from 3 – 6 pm.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, 28 Norfolk St., Guelph on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 11:00 am followed by a reception in the Church Hall. Private Interment at Marymount Cemetery will take place at a later time.
Her family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Royal on Gordon where she has resided over the last decade and to the staff of St. Joseph’s Health Centre for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations to Covenant House and Church of Our Lady would be appreciated. (Cards will be available at the Funeral home.)