Obituary of Elnora Ailey Larder

It is with deep regret that we have to tell you that Elnora passed away on Dec 12, 2017 at the young age of 64 years. She was hospitalized with pneumonia which progressed rapidly over the course of five days. Elnora died peacefully with Amanda, Rebecca and Andrew by her side. 

Could we put into words how Elnora lived and breathed?  Would it be possible to capture the flame of her spirit in hard words that are fixed on a page?  Every part of her was alive and in motion.  If Elnora could run she wouldn’t walk.  Her passion for life and her love of others was boundless and energetic. 

Her optimism meant that she could see the potential in everything and everyone.  And just like her garden, she loved to watch and nurture those in her life.  The beauty of the natural world awed and inspired her and she could find this beauty in the smallest crawling insect. 

Elnora lived to create music. Any instrument was an exciting opportunity to learn and play.  She shared her passion with the violin students she taught, and the groups in which she played and sang.

Nothing made her laugh harder than doing something unexpected to shock and amaze us all.  She saw past the need for conventions and rules and lived freely with a child-like enthusiasm.  Change excited her and she was always ready for a new adventure. 

As a mother, Elnora devoted every waking breath to her children.  Her care and love was expressed in every smile and every gesture.  She was tireless in her giving, and made it seem effortless.  Playful and spontaneous, growing up with her meant swimming in rivers, nighttime rambles, meticulously planning and making Halloween costumes, and digging up fossils in the backyard. 

How could we ever have enough time with her?  How could we ever find enough ways to tell her how special she was?  Both are impossible, and we are left with so many reminders of how much she touched our lives and the lives of those who knew her.

We will see her in every alpine meadow, every summer afternoon, all insects and growing things, in sweet desserts and mischievous moments, in warm hugs and acts of kindness. Elnora was a perfectly wild soul, a determined and courageous friend, a beautiful wife and the most adored mother.  

While we do not plan a funeral service, we will be having a celebration of Elnora’s life in the New Year. Then in the summer we will scatter her ashes amongst the wildflowers in the Coast Mountains that she loved so much.

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