Maureen Elaine Sterling

Maureen Elaine Sterling, “Elaine”, passed away on June 4, 2025 in Barrie, Ontario where she has made her home for the last 9 years. At 92 years of age, she was ready for her journey to the other side and went peacefully.

Elaine was born on September 9, 1932 to Pearl and Clarence Chilton in Rocanville, Saskatchewan. She spent her childhood years growing up in Rocanville, with her brother Dale and surrounded by a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins, the Park family clan.

After graduating from high school in Rocanville, she ventured off on her own to Winnipeg to nursing school. She graduated as a registered nurse, and began her career helping others in a hospital setting in North Bay, Ontario. This was the start of her career as an RN. Elaine worked the majority of her career as a well accomplished nurse in labour and delivery, as “this is the happiest place in the hospital”. She retired in 1995 after 23 years at the York Regional Hospital in Newmarket, Ontario, and taught pre-natal classes for several years after that.

Elaine met Rod Sterling in North Bay on a blind date and they married in 1955. Four children were born from this marriage, Randy, Janet, Judy and Ron. Elaine’s married life found her living in North Bay, working shift work and co-parenting the first three young children. Rod’s work took the family to Brazil for one year; 1962, and Chile for four years, 1963 – 66. She always wanted to travel the world . . . and embraced the experience, immersing herself in the local culture with volunteer work, offering her nursing skills where required, and enjoying afternoons at the country club pool. Her youngest son, Ron, was born here.

In 1966 the family returned to Canada, living in North Bay, Ontario for a short time and then settling in Aurora, Ontario. Elaine moved to Barrie, Ontario in 2016 to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

In 1971 Elaine found herself single parenting her four children, which became her life’s focus; self care and mothering. She raised her children in Aurora, Ontario in a time when single parenting was uncommon. She supported her children through many passions and difficulties in their lives. Her four children together birthed 8 grandsons and four great grandchildren.

In 1997 Elaine met Jack Heffernan and entered into a loving relationship with him until his passing in 2004. They golfed together, travelled together, and loved together.

Elaine fully loved the Saskatchewan prairies all her life. Family connection has been very important to her, and she stayed in touch throughout all her years with family members, aunts, uncles, cousins. Friends have also been very important to her, and she was a good friend to all who had the privilege of being called a friend. Elaine had the ability to always find the good in people.

Elaine enjoyed her life a lot, and particularly loved golf, curling, travel, cards (bridge) and staying fit. She was always up for an adventure, from climbing mountains in Columbia to sailing trips in the Caribbean. Over the years, she took her grandsons by herself on numerous adventure travel trips. She was very active all her life, creating adventures and being with family. Until 2020 you could find her every afternoon playing cards at the Seniors Centre in Barrie. She was headstrong, confident, and jumped into any challenge with glee. As she would say . . . “I was a women’s liber before it was a thing”. Elaine loved to have fun and laugh.

Elaine was predeceased by her partner Jack Heffernan, and her grandson Benjamin Chandler. She will be missed by her immediate family, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and those who love them . . . Randy Sterling and Brenda (Tim, Darryl & Rick); Jan Chandler and Stephen (Cody); Judy & Mark Cox, Ron Sterling (Axton, Alex, Aiden). Jack’s children; Cindy and Dan, Joshua & Jake Thompson, Patti Nowasalsky and Amy & Katie. We will all greatly miss her!

During the last several years, Elaine was lovingly cared for by many, and in particular Rita, Francine and Kirstie, as well as numerous others. A heartfelt thank you goes out to these special caregivers who helped make it possible for Elaine to remain in her home as long as she did.

The family requests that all notes are sent to Basic Funerals Jennett Memorial Centre in Barrie, Ontario.

Funeral services will be held at the Basic Funerals Jennett Memorial Centre, 152 Bradford Street, Barrie, Ontario L4N 3B5 on August 16, 2025. Reception to follow at the funeral home. Elaine’s ashes will be laid to rest at a future date in her chosen place at the gravesite in Rocanville Saskatchewan, next to her parents and relatives, in a small town cemetery in the Saskatchewan prairies.