It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of beloved Canadian children’s book author Eleanor Koldofsky on February 14, 2023, the 30th Valentine’s Day spent with her beloved spouse, Barbara Bondar.

Eleanor was the youngest of ten children born into a family that may have been poor, but that valued music, art, and literature. Passionate community and country benefactor, Eleanor spent her mid to late years becoming herself—a multiple-award winning record producer and documentary filmmaker, Heritage warrior, inventor, author, poet, speaker, and publisher.

In a life devoted to the assistance and recognition of Canadian artists’ achievements and as a philanthropist and patron of the arts, Eleanor helped fund, support, and champion Canadians in music, fine arts, and theatre. Clip-Clop, her only children’s book, illustrated by David Parkins, was published by Tundra Books in 2005. “At the turn of the twentieth century in Canada, Consuela can recognize which truck is coming down her street by the sound made by the horses’ feet, whether it is the milk truck that goes ‘clip-clop-clink’ or the iceman’s Clydesdale going ‘clip-clipclop.'”

Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends. Donations in Eleanor’s memory may be made directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or North York General Hospital.