Eleanor Marie Loewen was born on December 20, 1938 in Calgary, AB, where she then spent the first eight years of her life and attended the Central United Church with her family. In 1946, the family, now including four siblings, moved to Emerson Road in Abbotsford, B.C., where they engaged in mixed farming, which included strawberries, dairy, and chickens. The family became active members of the West Abbotsford Mennonite Church. Eleanor attended elementary school at nearby South Poplar, and Junior High at the Abbotsford Airport. Eleanor received her high school education at the Mennonite Educational Institute (MEI) in Clearbrook, B.C. Her years here, combined with the influence of her church, were significant in shaping her faith and setting a direction for her life’s journey yet to come. For her, education and service were the trademarks of a strong Christian faith within the Mennonite tradition. Following her senior matriculation year at MEI, Eleanor’s formal education included: teacher’s certification from UBC; a Diploma in Sacred Music from CMBC in 1963; a B.A. from Goshen College in 1967; a M.S. Ed. from Indiana University in 1971; two years of part-time studies at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries; and a Doctorate in Education from Indiana University in 1981. Eleanor’s employment experiences included public school teaching in British Columbia and Manitoba, Counsellor at the American High School, Kinshasa, Zaire; Assistant Dean of Students, Bluffton College; Adult Education, General Conference Mennonite Church and Bethel College; Education Consultant, Congregational Resources Board for the Conference of Mennonites in Canada; Adjunct Professor with the Winnipeg M. Div. Consortium, Teaching Christian Education; Staff associate with Knox United Church and as a member of the Interim-Ministry Team at Windsor Park United Church. In 1992, Eleanor accepted a full-time position at William and Catherine Booth Bible College in Winnipeg, a position she held until her passing. She served as Associate Professor with specialization in Christian Education courses, as well as Management and Organizational Theory, Sociology, Worship, Education Psychology and Human Development. For a two-year period, 1997-99, Eleanor taught at both CMBC and William and Catherine Booth Bible College on a half-time basis. In November of 2001, the College honoured her with a full Professorship - an achievement she was very proud of sharing with her family this past Christmas. During her years of teaching, Eleanor was actively engaged in writing numerous articles on education and congregational concerns in Mennonite periodicals. She was a regular contributor to Herald Press, Mennonite Publishing House, and Faith and Life Press, with respect to Adult Christian Education. In 1995, she co-authored, with John Toews, “No Longer Alone: Mental Health and the Church.” Eleanor was engaged in a research project that she was unable to complete because of her failing health. Eleanor served on numerous committees and boards, including MCC, Westgate Collegiate, Elim Bible Institute, and the General Conference Mennonite Church. She was very active in her home congregation, the Charleswood Mennonite Church, from choir and teaching to serving as chairperson of church council. In September, 2001, Eleanor’s health enabled her to join sister, Linda, on a tour to the Ukraine, something she had long wanted to do. Upon her return, her health began to deteriorate, however; she was able to spend one last Christmas with her family in B.C. Eleanor was a student to her last days and on March 20, at 1:30 a.m., she passed peacefully, and with dignity, into the presence of the Lord. Eleanor was predeceased by her father Martin Loewen, brother Robert Loewen, and mother Sara (Neumann) Loewen. She will be missed by her “son” Toshi (Beth) Imchen and “granddaughters” Olivia, Grace and Abigail; sisters Linda (Ed) Danallanko, Laura Loewen, Marg (Ken) Osterreicher; brothers Bill (Kay) Loewen, Dave (Grace) Loewen, John (Myrna) Loewen; numerous nephews and nieces; a large family of relatives, many colleagues, students, and friends. The funeral service for Eleanor Loewen will be held Saturday, March 30, 2002, 2:30 p.m. at Bethel Mennonite Church, 870 Carter Ave., Wpg. Viewing will be held at Charleswood Mennonite Church, 699 Haney St., Wpg. Cremation to follow. Interment at a later date.