Date of Birth: September 28, 1914
Date of Death: September 17, 2016
Eluned Stilborn of Melville, Sask., and formerly of Duff, Sask., passed away Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, 11 days short of 102 years of age.
Gwladys Eluned was born at Atwater, Sask. on Sept. 28, 1914 to Moses and Janet (nee Morris) Williams. She grew up and went to school in the area and was later married to Herbert
Stilborn of the Duff district. During the Second World War, Eluned worked for the British and Canadian governments, but because of her oath of secrecy, she was never able to discuss what kind of work she did. Eluned then decided that teaching was her calling so went to school in Saskatoon to obtain her teaching credentials. It was this career choice that resulted in her impacting countless lives; “Mrs. Stilborn” will be remembered by many for her dedication to her students and ensuring they succeeded to the best of their abilities. She would spend countless hours before and after school tutoring students, and even in her retirement, she would tutor if there was a student needing extra assistance. Eluned taught in Duff, the old Melville high school and finally at the Melville Comprehensive School.
Eluned and Herb led relatively quiet lives, but they enjoyed spending time with family at Bird’s Point on Round Lake, as well as travelling to England, Wales and locations in Canada such as Banff, Victoria, Tuktoyuktuc and Hawaii with their grandchildren.
Eluned took great interest in her family history and spent a lot of her spare time researching and documenting the family lineage back to the 17th century.
Above all, Eluned will be remembered by family, friends and former students as being a first-class teacher and all have felt blessed to have been a small part of her life.
Eluned was predeceased by her parents, Moses and Janet (nee Morris) Williams; her husband, Herbert in 1988; her daughter, Janet Ann in 1986; and a granddaughter, Nicole Marie in 1974.
She is survived by: her son, Robert Quarton Stilborn and his wife Linda; two granddaughters from Janet’s marriage, Amber (Peter) Cherneski and children, Ariel and Xander, and Kerry Cherneski and her cats; two grandsons from Rob and Linda, Jonathan (Sarah) Stilborn and children, Rylee, Addison and Lexee Ann, and Joshua (Lindsay) Stilborn; as well as many extended family members, friends and countless former students.
Eluned’s funeral service was held Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 at Matthews Funeral Home, Melville with the Rev. Susan Griffith officiating. Eluned’s son, Rob, shared memories of his mother, Amber Cherneski offered thoughts from the granddaughters’ perspective and Nancy Bieber related her memories as a long-time friend and neighbour. The organist, Gaylene Matthews, led in two old Welsh
hymns, “All Through the Night” and “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” as well as the hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross.” The urn bearers were Amber Cherneski, Kerry Cherneski, Jon Stilborn and Josh Stilborn.
Interment took place in the Pheasant Forks Cemetery, Duff district.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
