Elaine passed away, surrounded by family and in her own beautiful home on November 27, 2020. Born September 9, 1924 in Esbjerg Denmark, Elaine was predeceased by her husband Helge (1999), son Bue (2008), sister Mary Jespersen (2016), sister Inge Lorentzen (2014) and is survived by her daughter Birgitte Baknes (Ken O'Keefe), son Mark (Donna) Baknes, grandchildren Shawn (Sue) O'Keefe, D'Arcy (Sean) Roy, Nick (Denise) Braam, Vaughn, Dayne, Chloe, Steen and Keir Baknes, great grandchildren Graeme and Ian O'Keefe, Ella and Molly Roy, Adriel and Natania Braam. She also leaves behind nephews, nieces, and the extended family in Denmark.
Mom and dad were enthusiastic and gutsy immigrants, coming to a frontier land in 1958 that offered opportunities and freedoms of adventure. They soaked up the things that Canada had to offer including buying a house with land, camping wherever you wanted to, owning a car (and crashing it), good paying jobs and hosting numerous parties that attracted a diverse and eclectic mix of people.
A wonderful mother and grandmother that made us all proud, she loved us deeply and let us live without interference, watching us with pride as we built our own lives. She was independent, tough and was quietly confident in everything she did, yet never boastful.
She had lived a life rich in experience from living through German occupation in the second world war, to packing up her family and coming to a new country and learning its ways.
In small town Duncan she stood out by her elegant and stylish way that she carried with her right until the end of her life. She had many interests, however, her value of the aesthetic quality of things be it clothing, artistic creations, her house or the beauty in nature was a form of expression and entertainment for her.
She was fun loving, entertaining, wickedly funny and had a zest for life that attracted and inspired people. Mom could also be blunt and if she didn't like somebody or something, you'd hear about it. Fair to say It would take some serious work to bring her up to todays PC standards.
She personified the role of the beautiful and exemplary hostess, but also and always led the charge when it came time to "skol" and down the Aquavit (Danish fire water).
In her last days mom was happy, she was home, had quality visits from family and friends and could feel the love. It seemed that the accountant in her was summing up the valuable parts of her life and she was so pleased at how it all added up.
The family she leaves behind are happy and well because of her good work. Hers was a good life, a life that inspires all that knew her to make the most of ours and above all have fun.
Mom and the family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the medical staff and home support that were so important to the quality of her passing. A party in her honor will be held in summer when the weather is fine, and the birds are singing.
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