Date of death: May 22, 2020
Elaine “Peppi” Paula Gordon passed away peacefully in her home in Burlington Ontario, on Friday May 22nd 2020, surrounded by her family.
Born in Toronto Ontario to Frank and Eva Gordon (both deceased), she was the youngest of four children. She is survived by her loving brothers Alan (Carol) and Manny (Chris) Gordon, and predeceased by her sister Fern Gordon. She is also predeceased by her mother and father in law, Joseph and Jean Connolly.
She is mourned by many who love her dearly, including her devoted husband Stuart Connolly, her children Katie (Michael), Joseph (Taflyn), Ben, and Adam (Arina), brother in law John (Kim), sister in law Jennifer (Ken), longtime caregiver and friend, Rati Ramratan, and numerous other family, friends and colleagues.
Elaine was born into a traditional Jewish family in Toronto, attended Hebrew Day school and then Forest Hill Collegiate High School in Toronto. She went to University of Toronto to study physical education but was then convinced to try medicine, entering McMaster University Medical school in 1973 where she found her true professional calling.
She met her future husband Stuart while doing internal medicine training at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. After a year long romance, they set off to Stanford University for post-doctoral training in cardiology where she spent two years doing research and echocardiography. Returning home she married Stuart in Erica Fischer’s backyard and started having children. They moved to a home in north Burlington (where they would live for 36 years together) and Elaine joined Stuart on cardiology faculty at McMaster University in Hamilton in 1985.
Elaine leaves a lasting legacy among the medical community at Hamilton Health Sciences; she taught hundreds of medical students and residents. Among other things, she passed on the importance of careful physical examination to her trainees. Her greatest professional legacy is the Congenital Heart Disease program at McMaster which she founded and developed from modest beginnings. Along the way she delivered exceptional care to thousands of young adults born with congenital cardiac abnormalities. Her devotion, thoroughness and meticulous focus on patient care were a source of inspiration to her colleagues and trainees.
Elaine lived a life that was exceptionally full and rewarding. She raised four children and managed her household, worked full time as a cardiologist, maintained an active social life, all with an incredible humour and energy that was uniquely hers. Some of her pleasures in life included taking long walks on the Bruce trail with her dogs Coca and Molly, singing in the choir at Shaarei Beth El synagogue, and in fact singing along to almost any musical theatre. She loved family ski trips to to Quebec, Whistler, and Big White. She relished summers at Sydenham lake with John, Kim, Jen, Ken and their children, and later cottaging at Lake of Bays. She enjoyed watching and participating in theatre, music and the arts. Elaine was a great host and loved being surrounded by her family and friends. Her Hanukkah parties were famous. She loved to cook for others, and everyone adored her pesto. Elaine loved a good joke, especially jewish humour. In fact jewish life and ritual were a source of great pleasure to her.
At age 55 she was diagnosed with diffusely metastatic breast cancer which she dealt with gracefully and courageously, and lived 10 healthy years where she continued to work full time. Two years ago she suffered a stroke as a complication of her treatment, which left her with considerable physical disability, but did not alter her spirit. Despite the changes to her function, she continued to embrace life and continued to travel; to Rwanda with Stuart, Katie and the Yusufs, where she was carried into the jungle to meet mountain gorillas; to Alaska with Stuart, Ben, Sarah Minden and Steve; and to Whistler where she was almost convinced to try wheelchair skiing. She continued many activities despite being in a wheelchair and having aphasia; trips to the family cottage where she swam in the lake; outings to the theatre, ballet and music; watching Raptor’s games; many dinners with family and friends. Her family remained a lasting joy in her life until the end, and she was looking forward to welcoming her first grandchild in August.
We want to acknowledge the attentive care she received from her doctors, Bindi Dhesey, Bob Hart, Mike Sharma and Michelle Zeller. There are many friends and neighbours who were steadfast in their devotion to her. Rabbi Stephen Wise and her friends at Shaarei Beth El were an ongoing source of strength.
Private family service will be held on Sunday May 24th 2020 at the gravesite at Trafalgar Lawn Cemetery in Oakville Ontario.
Shiva will be held virtually through Shaarei Beth El Synagogue on Monday May 25 at 7 PM (https://zoom.us/j/2934993535 or call in to: 647 374 4685 and use Meeting ID: 293 499 3535. Password: 251140).
A celebration of life will be held at a later date once larger in-person gatherings are permitted.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to support Shaarei Beth El Synagogue (http://tiny.cc/DonateShaareiBethEl).
Our sincere condolences go to the Connollys who lost their wonderful matriarch. I met Elaine at the first cardiac arrest which I attended as an R1 at TGH in 1979. Elaine was a R2 running the arrest in birkenstocks!! She called for more drugs faster than I could think and at the end us junior residents commented amongst ourselves “Dr Gordon is good…..really good!!!”
She maintained that passion along with her infectious sense of humour and laugh throughout her career. We have lost a great colleague and her patients have lost a “one of a kind” physician.”
Our family was fortunate to have met Elaine and to have been part of the same community within the Halton Waldorf School. Elaine was proud of being one of the longest serving members of the parent community. She was always a presence at festivals, parent meetings and fundraisers. Most of all, my children enjoyed her presence during Friday morning nature walks and at all the school plays, where she lead the laughter at exactly the right times. Elaine was an important member of our community and we were fortunate to experience her presence and her friendship. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.
Goodbye my friend, you truly were an inspiration to us all.I still hear your laughter in my head.
We will certainly miss you but what a legacy you left behind.You would have been so proud of your lovely family today.
As medical students at McMaster, we all marvelled when Dr. Gordon lectured. Her grasp of cardiac physiology was awe-inspiring. Elaine was a wonderful, vivacious person and colleague, and she made every interaction convivial. My deepest condolences to Stuart and their children.
my deepest condolences to Stuart and family on the loss of a remarkable, kind, talented woman.
I’m so very sorry to hear this sad news
My sincere condolences to the family
She was a beautiful person and an inspiration to many
She will be missed
Sincerely
Debbie Hastings
Elaine was a colleague and a very good friend. We always enjoyed her insights and intellect in our conversations. She was the very first person to meet our twins, and knew just what to say to a nervous first time mother. We will miss her so much, but celebrate what a wonderful person she was and what a great family she cultivated.
Sincere Condolences. This is such sad news. What an amazing person she was! Elaine was such a wonderful woman, an excellent clinician and an inspiring teacher. She will be missed dearly. I will always see her as one of my mentors and someone who I aspire to be like both in work and in life.
Rest in peace
I am deeply saddened by the news of Elaine’s passing. I met a Elaine many years ago when she spent a few weeks learning new techniques in echocardiography at the Echo lab in Toronto, where I was a fellow. Elaine convinced me to apply for a position in Hamilton and encouraged me to pursue my passion for clinical research. She was a remarkable physician and a teacher and mentor to many. Years later I had the pleasure of having two of her children Ben and Katie work with me. Katie has emerged as a talented new member of the McMaster Cardiology group and will keep Elaine’s legacy alive for many years.
Our sincere condolences to the entire family
After reading about Elaine, it is apparent she was a very special person.
May her memory be a blessing.
Fred and Raisyl Wagman
Deepest condolences to the Gordon and Connolly families for your loss. Elaine was a truly remarkable individual. Her caring nature and keen intellect will be sorely missed. Wishing the family peace and comfort.
I am so saddened by this news. How well I remember the community welcoming Stuart amd Elaine when they moved in 36 years ago. And watching as their family grew. Halloween was time for a special visit, and any time Elaine was out walking, and saw me outside, was always a chance for a good chat. I will always have a picture of her big, bright smile and happy outlook on life. Even after she had to endure some of her health issues.
Dr. Gordon “ Elaine” was an incredible clinician and our “ go to” person for all of our high risk pregnant women with congenital heart disease. She was always there helping the Obstetric team feel comfortable supporting these women to experience safe childbirth and have a family of their own. We have missed seeing her these past few years, and are sorry we didn’t get to thank her or say good bye. Our hearts go out to her adored family, friends and colleagues.
Stuart, my deepest condolences to you, Katie, Joseph, Adam and Ben. I have so enjoyed reading the obituary that captures Elaine so beautifully.
I have a story to share. Many years ago Elaine came to my positive parenting classes when Katie and Joseph were toddlers and Ben was a newborn. Probably this has become a family legend by now, and with grandchildren coming along, the parent-to-be may enjoy hearing the story again. Elaine was trying to get some much-needed sleep with Ben in bed with her. She was so delighted that Katie and Joseph were playing quietly and not disturbing her. When she got up, she discovered Katie and Joseph, at their creative best, had a jar of chocolate sauce out of the fridge, and they were fingerpainting with it, all over the kitchen and this included the white carpet! If I remember correctly, Katie and Joe came to get their mother to proudly show off what they had done. This was a story she shared with humour that every other mother could also relate to – those moments when the children have no idea their mother isn’t quite as enthusiastic with their creativity as they are!
Such bittersweet memories this morning recalling that story as well as walks along the stream with the dogs at your house – and The Waldorf School Elaine introduced me to.
Rest in peace Elaine, you will be deeply missed!
I am so sorry to hear of Elaine‘s passing. She was my inspiring cardiology professor when I was a medical student, and then my inspiring colleague when I joined faculty. She was endlessly kind, positive, energetic, funny, and dedicated to the well-being of her patients. May her memory is a blessing to her family and friends. It will certainly be one to her colleagues.
My closest contact with Elaine was at Big White, where several families spent March breaks together. I have wonderful memories of skiing all over the mountain and through the trees side by side with Elaine. She was encouraging and happy to wait for the stragglers. I was struck by what a wonderful caring mother she was, and how inclusive she was of the friends around her!
Doug, Connor and I send our deepest condolences to Stuart and her entire family.
We were blessed to have known her, and will keep her in our hearts.
To the Connollys and Gordons,
We are deeply saddened by the news of Elaine’s passing. We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences. She indeed will be remembered for her warmth, humour, courage and love of family (including her extended family members). We wish you all strength during this difficult time.
Sally and I deeply saddened by Elaine’s passing. She was a wonderfully warm, giving, vibrant person with an outstanding sense of humour. Her unflagging enthusiasm for life was an example to us all .She will remain alive in our memories .
Our deepest condolences to Stuart,Katie, Joe, Ben, and Adam .
My sincere condolences to the family. Elaine was a colleague for years at the MUMC site. She was such a caring, meticulous, outstanding clinician. Elaine was an amazing patient advocate. She lived life with passion
Dear Gordon and Connolly families,
Please accept our condolences on the passing of your beloved wife, mother and sister.
We came to know Elaine while we were members of Shaarei Beth El synagogue. She was an amazingly energetic, inspirational woman. May her memory be forever a blessing.
There are no words. Elaine and I worked side by side for many years. She was kind, funny, a kindred spirit, an amazing physician, and friend. She will be missed by all of us, and always in our hearts. My sincere, deep condolences to the whole family. Elaine always said “I have had a dream life”. May your memories of wonderful Elaine be a source of comfort.
Such sad news. I will always remember the Elaine who loved to laugh and loved to sing. She was such a warm and kind person. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Elaines’s family.
I have had the pleasure to work with Dr. Elaine Gordon both as a fellow and a junior faculty. She was an outstanding physician and mentor who provided exemplary care to her patients.
My deepest sympathies for this loss!
Our thoughts and our prayers are with Elaine’s family. She was an inspiration to those of us who knew her. She was a joyous, warm and loving person who will be in our hearts always. Judi and Allan Setton
We will miss our dear friend immensely and will cherish all the many many dinners both in and out, theatre, shopping, paddling and so much more. ‘The ones we love are never gone – they live forever in our hearts.’
Our heartfelt condolences to the spouse and children of Elaine. I was fortunate to have been a part of her life, and I will always cherish that time.
RIP Elaine.
Nandy, Rudy and the boys.
I was Elaine’s admin for years. To watch her work was amazing, she saved many lives. She was a very strong presence and I enjoyed working with her in the congenital program. Her patients have really missed her, as has her team. I am forever grateful to have known her. I will miss her. Rest in peace my friend.