July 5, 1940 - June 5, 2025
Elaine Margaret Sloan (nee Watson) passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025. Born July 5, 1940 in Vancouver, B.C., Elaine lived a rich and purposeful life rooted in care, curiosity, and deep connection to both people and the natural world.
A single child, Elaine grew up on the west side of Vancouver, attending Queen Elizabeth School and later Lord Byng Secondary. She graduated from the Royal Columbian Hospital Nursing Program in 1962, launching a long and dedicated nursing career. Elaine remained close with her nursing classmates, gathering for reunions every five years through to 2024. Ever committed to lifelong learning, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1994.
Elaine met the love of her life, Bill Sloan while nursing in Nelson. They married in 1966 raising their two children in Pass Creek, B.C. A devoted environmentalist, Elaine spent over 60 years gardening and cultivating the land. Together with her husband, she maintained a 10-acre farm where she was a gifted gardener, skilled food preserver, and passionate steward of the earth. They dearly loved their animals—llamas, chickens, and ducks. She didn’t keep her creations to herself and most of her friends and relatives enjoyed the bounty of her garden and eggs on a regular basis.
Elaine’s adventurous spirit shone through in her love for travel, skiing and the outdoors. She and her husband spent many summers sailing the Arrow Lakes and voyaging along the west coast to Alaska. At home, she expressed her creativity as a talented seamstress, knitter, and crocheter. Her curiosity extended to a deep interest in genealogy; she spent countless hours researching her family’s history and preserving stories for future generations.
After retiring from Castlegar Hospital, Elaine travelled widely to visit family and see the world. A passionate birdwatcher, she contributed diligently to Project Feeder Watch for many years.
Elaine was deeply engaged in her community. A lifelong supporter of social justice, she was an active member of the NDP and contributed to various causes, including Doctors Without Borders, Decoda Literacy, and the Red Cross. She was a dedicated supporter of the arts, volunteering with the Kootenay Gallery and the Castlegar Library. Informally, long after she retired, she was a reliable resource to go to by friends and family for well thought out, practical health and life advice.
Above all, Elaine was devoted to her family. Her grandchildren were a source of joy and strength, inspiring her with their curiosity and love. As Maya Angelou once said, “I sustain myself with the love of family,” and Elaine lived those words every day. She is survived by her husband William Sloan, daughters Seanagh Strebchuk, Paige Thompson and grandchildren Jacob, Tannis, Avery and Kaito and son-in-law Misha. Sadly, her other son-in-law Hugh predeceased her.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Elaine’s memory may be made to the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area.
A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held at her home, now her daughter’s, in Pass Creek at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025. All who knew and loved her are warmly invited to attend, bring a good story to share and a dish she may have shared with you.
