“Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.”
Elda’s faith was ever present in her life. This faith allowed her to face and overcome the many challenges she experienced in her 99 years on this beautiful earth. She was thankful for every single day and used them to better the lives of her family and those around her.
Elda Alvena was born on April 15, 1919 along with her twin sister Edna. The girls were born at home in Sullivan Township, to parents William and Anna (Kaufman) Povelofskie and joined older siblings Florence and Orral. In time the family welcomed Ada, Elmer, Wilson, Lyle, Ruth and Agnes. The children attended S.S. #11 in Mooresburg, better known now as the “old wood shed.” Elda soon started boarding in Owen Sound and attended a year of high school before all of her classmates dropped out. She returned home and began helping neighbouring mothers, whom were raising their young families. Over the next several years she moved around southwestern Ontario helping new mothers, including her sisters, care for their young families and homes.
In her youth Elda regularly attended church with a young man by the name of Robert Nelson Harrison. In time they started dating and Elda fondly remembered her trips to Harrison Lake to visit Robert and his family. In fact, she often brought Ruth or Agnes with her for company on the rides over. The couple were married on September 2, 1944 in Chesley, with Elda’s siblings Edna and Elmer acting as their witnesses. Their honeymoon included stops to visit family before taking the train to Brampton, Toronto and finally Niagara Falls.
The young couple soon settled in the Shelburne area where Robert worked as a lineman on the railway. The couple welcomed John in 1945, before moving back to Sullivan Township were their family blossomed to include Mary (1949), Ivan (1955) and Rodney (1961). Robert & Elda purchased their 100 acre farm from Gordon and Grace Klages and began mixed farming. She helped her husband with the milking, raising chickens, pigs and even goats. Elda sold eggs for years and even churned her own butter! The Harrisons had a large garden and orchard, with a full field of potatoes nearby. Their farm supplied food for their table and a livelihood for their family.
Life on the farm was not easy, and Elda did not have the benefits of hydro, running water or a bathroom until well into the 60’s. This did not deter her though and she treasured the time she spent with her children and later grandchildren. Elda’s family was her world and there are countless stories of her enriching the lives of those around her. Whether it was making a tent and camping in the yard with her children or grandchildren, her firefly flashlights or Saturday night baths at Mooresburg, in the Saugeen River, Elda kept her family close and engaged. The Harrison and neighbouring Klages’ family grew up together. Elda and Grace supported one another as they raised their young families. In fact, a story was told of how the Klages children contracted chicken pox, so what did Elda do? Well, take her children over to play with the Klages’ so they would get chicken pox as well, imagine!
In time the family went to do some work on Henry Charlton’s property and soon stumbled upon “O’Henry’s” cabin. O’Henry’s was his old hunt camp located on the Bruce Peninsula near Shouldice Lake. For the next twenty years the Harrison family enjoyed countless holidays, weekends and even Christmas’ at the cabin. And who could forget the bonfires there.
To know Elda, you knew of her love for quilting and knitting, jigsaw puzzles, playing the organ and piano, walking, Sunday afternoon drives and who could forget her love of games. She loved Domino’s, Scrabble, crokinole and was always up for a challenge. Elda was well known for her desserts, whether it was her pies, cakes or muffins, she always had a selection of five at each meal. She thoroughly enjoyed corn on the cob, tomato sandwiches (in season of course) and any type of soup! She and Robert liked to travel and occasionally travelled west to visit Bob’s brothers and families. Later, they went west to visit their sons and grandchildren. Elda enjoyed reading anything, however her favourite things in life usually included anything gardening or associated with animals or children and most of all the Bible. The family always had a cat, and later in life she enjoyed her four legged companions Princess and Dinah.
The “sweet little lady” as she was often referred to, was always happy and would give the shirt off her own back. She was always receptive and open minded, looking to help anyone in need, with no preconceived judgements. If you needed it done, you could count on Elda, she would never let you down! She was the matriarch of her family and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
In recent months Elda’s health has declined and she passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2018 in her 99th year.
Beloved wife of the late Robert Harrison. Loving mother of Mary Harrison (Brian McCurdy) of Markdale, Ivan of Sooke, B.C and Rodney (Leah) of Devlin. Cherished grandmother of Sandra, Ripley, Alyssa (Tyrell), Owen, Cameo (Rob), Bethany, Maria, Caleb, Rupert and great-grandmother of Kayenna and Layla. Elda will be sadly missed by her sisters Ruth Miles of Owen Sound and Agnes Byers of Chesley. She will be fondly remembered by Dora Harrison and the entire Povelofskie and Harrison families. Elda was predeceased by her son John, twin sister Edna Povelofskie, siblings Florence Mervyn, Orral Charlton, Ada Cowan, Elmer, Wilson and Lyle Povelofskie and her parents William and Anna Marie (Kaufman) Povelofskie.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Thursday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 p.m. where a funeral service honouring Elda’s life will be held on Friday, February 2, 2018 at 1 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. Spring interment in Chesley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Chapman House, Hanover & District Hospital Foundation or Centre Grey Health Services Foundation (Markdale) would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
