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Elly Danica Obituary

Brought to you by Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home

Elly Danica

Lunenburg, NS

January 11, 1947 - October 7, 2021

Elly Danica Obituary

Elly Danica left us with the new moon on October 7, 2021. Elly was born in the Netherlands on January 11, 1947. Her family immigrated to Canada in 1952 settling in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Elly has one son, Gregory, a daughter-in-law Eliza and two grandsons, family and many, many friends too numerous to mention. In 1988, Elly Danica published Don't: A Woman's Word – a searing memoir of child abuse and incest. This courageous, ground-breaking book provided a life-changing narrative for many abuse survivors, demanding that children be protected from exploitation, and that survivors get the help they need. Its publication in England, France, and the USA was followed by translations into German, Dutch, and French. For two years Elly was invited to tour and speak in Canada and Europe, at times becoming a conduit for the trauma and grief of others. Her capacity for close and deep listening was evident then, and continued throughout her life. Over the years, when asked, Elly continued to write and speak on this difficult topic, but always with care for her own, fiercely nurtured, inner well-being. The book, and the experiences which gave rise to it shaped her life, but did not stop the flow of her indomitable, loving, observant spirit. We greatly respected and appreciated Elly’s ability to balance her life so well in her adult years – as a weaver, writer, mother, painter, photographer, teacher, facilitator of women’s empowerment, engagement in social justice issues, passionate knitter, and always with curiosity and creativity in friendship. In 1998 Elly moved to the east coast of Canada to Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, where she created a solid social circle around her of friends and fibre folks. Elly will be missed by all as she was a wise, loving person, always helping anyone around her with whatever she had to offer. Her courage in the face of trauma and health issues was legendary, and she continued until the very last as a courageous, aware and beautiful woman. We give thanks for the tender and stubbornly creative efforts that all of Elly's care-givers at South Shore Regional Hospital gave to keeping her with us as long as possible. Also the dedicated and loving care from Dr. Edmonds, her family physician of many years meant the world to Elly. She knew everyone by name, loved getting to know them, and appreciated being allowed her precious visits during all the COVID complexities. Cremation has taken place, celebration of life and death to take place in the future. Donations in Elly’s memory made to the Second Storey Women’s Centre, Lunenburg, would be greatly appreciated. Please leave your thoughts and stories about Elly at www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Elly Danica hosted by Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Elly Danica.