In Memory Of

Eleanor Christine Vokes

Mar 25, 1961 - Apr 12, 2025

Obituary

It is with many tears and great sadness, we the family of Eleanor (“Ellie,” “Elly,” “Eli”, “Nor”) Christine Vokes announce her sudden and unexpected passing on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Eleanor was born to Elizabeth (Beth) and Earle Vokes on March 25, 1961, in Hagersville, Ontario. She was the 3rd of 9 children. The family relocated from Nanticoke, Ontario to Eckville, Alberta April 1969 where she grew up with her 8 siblings.

Eleanor moved to Rocky Mountain House in her late teenage years where she met her lifelong partner of 47 years, Terry Cote. Their son Terry Jr. was born April 25, 1979. While working at Dairy Queen in Rocky Mtn. House, and with a very young son, Eleanor decided to venture into schooling (while working) for Gas Process Operations at Red Deer College. After completing Level 1, 2, and 3 as well as 4th class Power Engineering, Part A, she began her Oil and Gas career with Texaco in 1986 as a field operator. Over the years, she has worked with various oilfield companies as a skilled, competent operator and worked her way up to a manager/teacher/mentor. She became a well-respected go-to person (woman) in all oil and gas field and plant operations, even writing operations manuals as she went along.

Writing operations manuals, engineering ventures, gas plant turnarounds, DEOS jobs, and consulting for various oilfield companies, as well as keeping up on top of the changing technologies, including government regulations, led her to starting her own consulting company ROC OPERATIONS AND CONSULTING in 2015. In early-mid 2018, Eleanor began teaching the Oil and Gas Field Operations course at the Northern Lights College (NLC) at Fort St. John, British Columbia on the referral of a former schoolmate and friend, Bill Sambrook.

At the time of her passing, she was an integral part of the team for the pilot project that was started in September 2024 for the new course for Field Operations Specialist. Eleanor had written the course, taught the pilot semester, and was working in collaboration with Tourmaline and Northern Lights College to develop the curriculum for launch in September 2025. Just in case that wasn’t enough, she went to various oilfield businesses and asked them if they were willing to donate several millions of dollars of heavy equipment for hands-on learning at the college for the students. She took immense pride in all her efforts and everyone who was alongside with her. She loved you ALL!

Along with Eleanor’s very busy and full work life, she was fully involved with her home, her family and her community. Eleanor threw her whole being into all endeavours of life.
Her family was her priority and she made sure family needs were selflessly taken care of immediately no matter the time or who needed help. Bringing the family together,
doing massive amounts of cooking, looking after her parents. Everyone knew she cared for us and loved us. She believed in lifting up the less fortunate with her volunteering to see they had some of the good qualities of life they may not have had access to otherwise, whether it was presents for kids at Christmas, or food or clothing.

With Terry, her lifelong partner, they built a beautiful home over the years at their acreage they moved into in 1992. Both hard working and generous parents gave our family a son who was taught in empathy, compassion and caring and carries that with him.

Eleanor loved being outdoors. She and Terry never stopped and worked very hard on their home with the beautiful gardens and pond and renovations to the house to welcome us all. Quite the team. Eleanor had taken up artwork over the past several years to defrag and deprogram, when needed, producing birdhouses, rock artwork and painting among other creative projects. She loved taking her Mom gold panning. She loved camping, when you could pull her away from everything. She loved quadding. She believed in paving the way for women and providing education to those who’s financial means was a barrier.

Eleanor leaves behind her partner Terry Sr., her son, Terry Jr., father, Earle, siblings: Esther (Bob), Emily (Doug), Ernie (Cindy), Everett, Evan (Lorinda), Emerson, Earle Jr.- “Charlie” (Trish) and Erick (Deina). Nieces and nephews: Ashley (Scott), Adam, Jenny (Andrew), Leila (Keir), Nick (Morgan), Matt, Blake, Alex, Brittnee, Dirk, Riley, and Arica. Grandnieces: Lily and Sophie, Layla. Numerous cousins, aunts and uncles, and many, many friends. Predeceased by her mother “Beth” (Elizabeth) May 30, 2022. Eleanor loved life. We will dearly miss her and we will meet her again, Eleanor, you will always be in our hearts and always in our memories. We love you forever!

For those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Eleanor’s name please send a donation in lieu of flowers, please send it to the Stars Air Ambulance, The Stollery Children’s Hospital, or an organization that benefits less fortunate kids.

There will be a celebration of life for Eleanor at a later date.

Condolences may be forwarded to www.rockyfuneralhome.ca.
Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements.

Condolences

Rena Tom Stewart:

Such a shock to read about your family's loss, Eleonora often attended training and was such a Wonderful contributor to the training sharing her wealth of experience and knowledge.
Please accept our condolences for her loss.

Randy Johannesson :

She was one of the best and I enjoyed visits with her before my retirement! Eli was always happy to see me, before my retirement from Rocky Mtn.Valve.
She will be missed, Eli always nicest smile for everyone!
Randy Johannesson

Vern White:

I also worked Ellie during the imperial oil days . She was a outstanding person in many ways . The obituary says it all . Sorry for your loss

Ken and Beth Mus :

Learnt of Ellie’s passing and are very sorry to hear it.
Heart felt condolences to Terry, Terry and all of Ellie’s family.
You were a great friend and a fantastic boss.

Michael Toth :

My cousin Eleanor was an exceptional person and was a pleasure at our every meeting. My deepest condolences go to my Uncle Earle, her husband Terry, son Terry jr. and her family who will relish in her memories and the industry will utilize her practices and those she mentored for years to come.

Trudi Roth (Rhodes):

I was sorry to hear of Eleanor’s passing. We were classmates and friends growing up in Eckville. I hadn’t seen her for many years but had heard many good things about her and her career from other classmates.
My deepest sympathies to her family and friends. Rest In Peace Eleanor.

Laurie andersen:

I was so very sad to hear or Eli’s passing. I’ve known her for most of my life, and always knew what an amazing person she was and would always be. My very deep condolences to all of Eli’s family. Their loss is tremendous.

Gwen MacGregor :

Sending my deepest condolences Eleanor. I worked along side “El” at DQ. Remembering all the laughs we had when El told us stories every day. She was an amazing supervisor to work alongside. You will be greatly missed.

Patricia and Patrick Alexander:

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Eleanors passing. Her and I were the first women oil field operators when we started back in the 80's. She was my hero for where she took her career. I watched a TV program which was about oilfield operations and 3 guys took a shot at trying to light the flare stack . Eleanor was the only one to light it. I cheered with joy, Right on Eleanor !!!!! We had great visits. Patrick also worked with Eleanor at Texaco. She was ALWAYS ready and up for a challenge. We send our deepest Condolences to the family. She will be greatly missed for sure.

Candy Bailey-Payne:

My condolences for the family, Eleanor was an amazing person. She will be missed.
My deepest condolences to the family.

Todd Knull:

Tragic news, my deepest condolences, Rest in peace Ellie,

Terry Levinsky :

I worked with Eleanor at Texaco she was a very hard working lady. Always willing to help and learn new tasks.
My condolences to her family.
Terry L

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