LIVINGSTON – Elaine was a beautiful light to her family and friends. She was born in Calgary and grew up in Milk River along with her two sisters, Doreen and Carol. Elaine met and fell in love with a young man, Neil MacMillan. They married (1951) and moved west to British Columbia. Neil and Elaine travelled throughout a lot of BC with Neil’s work before settling in Prince George on a small rural property. Elaine found joy in her life-long love of horses and she soon became active in the Prince George Saddle Club, competing in gymkhanas, horse shows, endurance rides, skijoring races, and the great friendships of like minded horse lovers.
Neil and Elaine enjoyed many years together, building a life filled with family and lifelong friends. Neil passed away too soon. (1981)
Elaine attended a Milk River reunion with her sisters where she was reacquainted with a fellow Milk River alumni, Tom Livingston. Tom wrote letters to Elaine and they discovered they shared many interests. Tom proposed and soon Elaine was Alberta bound.
They were married November 11, 1996. Elaine’s many friends and family in B.C were sad to see her move away, but recognized her happiness in finding love a second time.
Tom passed away at 93 years (2022)
Elaine thrived in her new home and welcomed the new friends she made. Many friends and neighbours soon found you could always come in for coffee, great baking, a sit down supper, or just a quick visit. Although she missed her family, she loved her life with Tom, the prairie sky, and the beautiful vistas changing with the seasons.She really enjoyed flowers, planting many around the ranch. She had more than a few words with the deer trying to poach them!
Elaine loved music. She sang in church choirs, saddle club choir, and the Sweet Adelines. She was always up for singing, be it harmonies or rounds, whether it was around a campfire, travelling by car, or while doing the dishes. She enjoyed listening to music whether it was live or playing on the radio. Her sense of humour was never far away and she often had a joke to share to bring a smile to someone’s face.
Friends and family will remember her spirit, her beautiful smile, the enjoyment she felt for others. Elaine’s amazing strength of will helped her when she was diagnosed in her early 20’s with Multiple Sclerosis. Her resilience was always present, right up to and including her birthday party this past April. Elaine celebrated her 90th birthday with many friends and family from all over. She felt so lucky to have had two children, five grandchildren, and six great grandchildren, all who were a strength and joy to her.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes to her friends that continued to visit her, and the new friends that welcomed and enjoyed her friendship in Brooks.
We hope that Mom will sing, dance, ride horses and share stories with the ones who will be there to greet and welcome her home.
Thank you sincerely to Dr. M.L. Thomson and all the many staff at Sunrise Gardens who helped Mom. We were so touched to see the care, respect, and genuine affection she was shown.
The family held a small private gathering to celebrate Mom’s life with a few of her close friends.
