With great sadness but also gratitude for a life well lived, the family and friends of Elaine Boris announce her passing.

 

She died unexpectedly but peacefully on August 18 after a short battle with cancer. Elaine was born in Winnipeg and lived most of her life in the Westwood neighbourhood.

 

Her greatest joy in life was raising her two sons Andrew and Jeffrey (Amber) who she shares with her ex-husband Bill Boris. She encouraged their passions and talents in music, entrepreneurship, baseball and ultimate. She would travel to their events to cheer them on. She was a patient and loving mother. Elaine made close friends with other parents in the community and was always a source of support.

 

Besides her sons, she leaves her sister Deborah (Randy) Gerylo; brother David Elliott and many wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews. She was particularly close to her cousin Christine Webb (Gerry). She was predeceased by her parents Beverely and Donald Elliott and her dear brother-in-law Lorne Harris. Family was important to Elaine, and she celebrated the joys and accomplishments of her nieces and nephews and their families.

 

At every job she had, she quickly became not only a trusted and relied-upon employee, but a major part of the social fabric of the place. She worked at several places including Dave’s Quick Print, Duha Color Services, Keystone Agricultural Producers, Prendiville Industries and the Canadian Grain Commission. She loved her co-workers and made lifelong friendships. It is hard to adequately describe how amazing she was to have as a friend. So many people have stories of how Elaine was their go to person. She was quick to help and never asked for anything in return. She would drive people to medical appointments, be a confidant, administer estates, and recognize when someone was lonely or needing support.

 

Her brother David describes her as his best friend. She was especially great with elderly people and made them feel loved and seen when she worked at several assisted living centres in Winnipeg.

 

She was a dynamo with the most amazing sense of humour and a sharp, sharp brain. No one could tell a story like Elaine. She loved a great party and hosted many fun games nights and holiday shindigs. She loved to decorate!

 

Elaine saw the best in people…where others might not have. She owned a couple of rental properties at one time and was always giving people breaks, providing food and furniture and helping them on to better lives. So much of what she did was quiet and behind the scenes. Over the years she shared her life with some very special dogs including Frisky, Corgi, Duffy, Jasper, Riley, and Dodger who passed just days before Elaine did. She loved pets so much she ran her own dog sitting business in her home – Duffy’s Doggy Daycare.

 

Elaine was an adventurer at heart. She loved a good road trip! She got to travel to Finland to play ringette and travel all over the United States, often to watch sporting events. One of her greatest adventures happened in early 1984 when she traveled to Australia and New Zealand for several months.

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Camping was also a true passion. She enjoyed loading up her gear and heading out with her boys. In later years, she discovered the joy of kayaking and couldn’t wait to get out on the water. Even in her last days she was planning her next trip…and had a site booked for the fall at Tulabi Falls.

 

Growing up Elaine was a very talented softball player – a passion she shared with her Mom Beverely.  In recent years she was deeply involved in youth baseball and was a steadfast volunteer in St. James.

 

She also volunteered at Kildonan Presbyterian Cemetery, Westworth United Church and on all sorts of committees for various activities that her boys were in.

 

Funeral services will be held September 16, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Westworth United Church, 1750 Grosvenor Avenue, Winnipeg.

 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St James Baseball Association or Westworth United Church.

 

We love you, Elaine! We will remember you always and try to incorporate your spirit into our lives going forward.

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Elaine's family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.