Eleanor (Matthews) Pyke

Eleanor Pyke

July 20, 1932 - August 20, 2022

Eleanor Pyke passed away in Northwood Halifax Campus Saturday August 20th after a long illness. Eleanor was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by her parents James and Mary Leah (Bragg) Matthews; her husband of 62 years Gordon Pyke; her sister Mary MacLean (Ervine); her brothers Clifford (Eleanor, Kenneth), George (Jean), James in infancy and her grandson Andrew.

Eleanor is survived by her five sons and their families: Jim – Daniel

(Katie) & Chris (Mhari); David (Cynthia) – Roxanne (Marcel); Tom

(Wilma) – Tammy (Lee), Carrie (Mike), Shaylin, Michael, Billy (Lisa), Jaime, Dawson; John (Mary) – Noah; Philip (Kelly) – Rosie, Matthew, Simon

Eleanor was born and grew up in Sydney Mines. She graduated high school in 1949 and attended NS Normal College in Truro and two summers at Dalhousie University to obtain her permanent teaching license. She taught elementary grades in Sheet Harbour, Sydney Mines, Fairview School in Halifax and Hantsport. Some of her classes had 50 or more students. On weekends Eleanor worked at Kline’s Ladies Wear store on Gottingen Street.

On June 24, 1954 Eleanor married Gordon Pyke who was also from Sydney Mines and attending University studying for the Anglican priesthood.

They honeymooned in Baddeck where the parish of Baddeck had a cottage.

In 1958 Gordon was posted to the parish of Hantsport where their first three sons - Jim, David & Tom were born. From 1963 to 1966 they were in St. John’s, Nfld. at St. Thomas Church and son John was born.

1966 - 1974 was spent at St. Mary’s in Glace Bay and son Philip was born in 1967 as one of their Centennial projects. Their final posting was at St. John the Baptist in North Sydney from 1974 - 1992 and they retired to their apartment on Regent Street, North Sydney.

In 1968 Gordon and Eleanor bought the family cottage near Ross Ferry on Boularderie Island. Many happy summers were spent swimming, boating, berry picking, long morning walks, bonfires on the beach, gardening and hosting their grandchildren and other family and friends.

Eleanor was a talented crafter and baker - she made quilts, was handy with her sewing machine, spun wool into yarn, wove and knitted sweaters and granny socks for her children and grandchildren. Eleanor was renowned for her baking - especially fudge and molasses cookies (Fat Archies) and her Christmas packages of goodies was an annual highlight.

In early 2016 declining health brought Gordon and Eleanor to Northwood Halifax and Gordon passed away 8 months later. We would like to thank the staff at Northwood 7 Manor and 9 Centre for their kindness and professional care over the years. We would also like to thank the many clergy, friends and relatives who visited and supported mom.

A visitation will take place from 1:00 - 2:00 pm Thursday August 25th followed by the funeral service at 2:00 pm, both at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church, 24 King Street, North Sydney with Rev. Debbie Fice officiating. Following the funeral service, Internment will take place at Trinity Cemetery on Tobin Road, Sydney Mines.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Anglican Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund or the Alzheimer Society of Canada or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. Online condolences may be sent to the family by leaving a message on the tribute wall of the obituary at www.wjdooley.com .

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