Elaine Pero

(Lois) Elaine Pero ( nee Zukowsky), beloved life partner and wife of Eric Leduc of Exshaw, AB, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at the age of 57 years. Elaine fought for years against Scleroderma and associated complications and in the past month was dealt another blow with a diagnosis of lung cancer.

Elaine was born in Ohsweken, Brant Co., Ontario and completed her education there. In 1983 she found her future husband Eric while attending culinary school at Niagara College. Together they headed west and Elaine finished her courses in Vernon, BC. During the next several years Elaine gained valuable experience in the cooking industry holding various jobs while residing in the Carstairs, Crossfield and Water Valley areas in Alberta.

Exshaw would become home to Elaine and Eric in 1991. Elaine worked in the Bow Valley district up until her death, working at places such as the Rafter Six Ranch, Brewster Kananaskis Ranch, Husky at Deaman's Flats and even the restaurant right in Exshaw. For the past ten years she was Sous Chef and finally Head Chef at University of Calgary, Biogeoscience Institute in Kananaskis. Here she made many close friends and acquaintances.

Although Elaine suffered greatly with Scleroderma, she never let her health problems hold her back from doing the job she so dearly loved. Elaine was respected by all of her co-workers and for her tenacity to get the job done even when her own body was letting her down. She worked right up to the last few last months of her life and we are all so proud of her for her enduring strength and dedication. Elaine never wanted to let anyone down and always worried about those around her. One could say that if she had any faults at all, it was only her overwhelming generosity and kindness.

Elaine had 5 siblings of which Earl, Steve and Mike have passed on.

Elaine is survived by loving husband Eric, her mother Beatrice Zukowsky, brother Tom (Pat) niece Leah, nephew Sam – Her sister's family; nieces Tricia, Jayne, Cassie and nephews Chris and Joey; Mike's (Pat) children Michael and Stephanie.

A memorial service was held for family and friends at the Exshaw Community Hall on Friday, September 23, 2011.

At Elaine's request and in lieu of flowers, she would be honored to have a donation made to the Scleroderma Society of Canada or to cancer research

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.