It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of Elaine Henderson, devoted and loving mother of Marcela Henderson and grandmother of Daniela Henderson.
Elaine was predeceased by her beloved parents, John and Sis Henderson. From them she learned a deep love of family and a great affection for Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia, their respective birthplaces.
Elaine was also predeceased by her treasured brother Ross Henderson and her beloved sister-in-law Jo Henderson.
Cherished sister of Sue Turner (Bill) and Mike Henderson (Jo, deceased), as well as a wonderful aunt to her five nieces: Candace (Paula), Tracy, Jennie, Kate and Beth.
Best friend to Jennie Abell and dear friend to many other close friends.
Elaine was a wonderful light in our lives. Her kindness and compassion, her intellect and sense of justice, her strong independence, and her sense of humour enriched us all.
Her enduring integrity and passion for social justice framed her career in adult education and development work in Northern Manitoba and Northern Saskatchewan, and subsequently with CUSO in Bolivia, with Save the Children in Nicaragua, and with OXFAM in Cuba and in Ottawa.
A celebration of Elaine’s Life will be arranged at a future date in the spring of 2024.
Special thanks to Dr. Arleigh McCurdy and the Multiple Myeloma team at the Ottawa Hospital for the compassionate care they provided to Elaine over the past years, and to Dr. Cindy Wang and the Bytown Palliative Medicine team.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice or to Myeloma Canada.
Digital Guestbook
Xiomara Campos
Roxanne Murrell
I first knew Elaine in NIcaragua, when she worked for Save the Children, and I, in CUSO. Our paths crossed again when we both worked for Oxfam. We shared the frustrations and joys of development work; I knew I could always count on her commitment and support. Her dedication to her family was a constant, and her attitude towards her illness, a lesson in courage. My deepest sympathies to her family.
Joan Summers
I worked with Elaine at Oxfam Canada and remember her deep commitment to social justice. Her sense of humour was infectious, bringing laughter and fun to working on important and serious issues. Taken from the world too soon. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.
Themrise Khan
I worked directly with Elaine when I worked for a few months at Oxfam Canada in 2014. We became friends instantly and formed a close group with Maureen and Carol. Even when I left Canada a few years ago, our bond remained. Elaine was a kind, gentle soul, but with enough fire to ignite important debates about our lives and our work. I will miss our foursome lunches, coffees and zooms. But I hope Maureen, Carol and I will continue to keep her light shining. Rest in peace dear Elaine. And all strength to Marcella and little Daniella.
Mary Sue Smiaroski
I will always treasure my memories of Elaine's wry sense of humor, her passionate work for justice, her simple kindness and her generous spirit. She was a great team member and made Oxfam a better place to work. Blessings to her family.
Linda Percy
I only met Elaine a short time ago through our shared work on the Steering Committee for the Ottawa-Gatineau Myeloma Community Network.
I really enjoyed our conversations and was looking forward to getting to know her much better.
She impressed me as a very strong, generous and caring person.
I am extending my deepest condolences to her family.
Rieky Stuart
Elaine was at Oxfam before and after me. Like my colleagues, I remember her smile and her quiet, dedicated work and commitment to the Americas programme. Condolences to her family and friends.
Catherine Beck
I'm recalling Elaine with great fondness. She was an astute, funny and devoted graduate student at the University of Guelph in the early 1980s, immersed in adult education courses that aimed to equip and inspire us to work interculturally with people in rural communities overseas. Elaine was the real deal. I'm glad to have known her in this life. I find it rare - and important! - that she was true to her calling.
Catherine Beck
My 2nd comment: I'll be buying an indigenous tree (cost: CAD 75) in Elaine's memory at the Wall-Custace Memorial Forest. It's located in the Arboretum at the University of Guelph where Elaine received her graduate degree. Anyone can visit the Arboretum and Forest. Indigenous species have integrity...just like Elaine. WallCustace.com/wc-memorial-forest
Julie Delahanty
Elaine was a lovely person who I knew in different capacities over many years. We shared some good laughs and a lot of information!! She will be much missed by so many. Sharing my deep sympathies to her family, especially Marcella, and to all of her close friends. I have loved reading these tributes that really speak to who she was to so many. ❤️
I worked with Elaine for a few years at Oxfam and have such fond memories. One meeting in particular when I was very new at Oxfam, the meeting was about reviewing “EC Americas budget” and I remembered thinking I better be honest so I told her I was confused that I needed some time to digest the information. And, her response was “no worries pretty sure even with time it will still be confusing” and she laughed so contagiously. She made me feel at ease and welcomed into the Americas team. I will forever remember that moment in time.
Over the years I learned more about Elaine and her BIG heart, she was a remarkable person, very kind, committed and thoughtful. My deepest condolences.
Descanca en paz querida Elaine.