Elsie Eilleen Tudoroff

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Elsie Eilleen Tudoroff, 90, of Ancaster, Ontario on September 19, 2024.

Eilleen was born on May 19, 1934, to Bill and Hazel (nee Pottruff) Butter in Hamilton, Ontario, living most of her life on Butter Road, and was an active member of the Carluke community.

After graduating from Westdale Collegiate High School, Eilleen worked at a jewelry store in Hamilton and on the family farm in Ancaster. She was named Miss Milkmaid 1952, and this led to some modelling and promotional work. In 1959, she was named the very first Miss Dominion of Canada and headed off to Long Beach, California to compete in the Miss Universe pageant.

At Miss Universe, Eilleen hobnobbed with Hollywood elite and was offered a movie contract but turned it down and returned to her rural roots on Butter Road. However, her beauty, charm, and mischievous nature led to a life full of adventure, just not in Tinseltown.

A lover of sports, she visited Chicago regularly to watch her boyfriend play for the Black Hawks. But her true passion was the Hamilton Tiger Cats. A season ticket holder for over 50 years, Eilleen bled black and gold. She was able to see one final Tiger Cat win before passing and some of her final words were “Oskie-wee-wee” and “Argos Suck”.

Along the way, Eilleen met a local radio announcer Alex Reynolds (Tudoroff) and once the trips to Chicago ended the relationship blossomed and they were married in Carluke on May 19, 1961.

Eilleen had been involved in car accident when she was 16 that resulted in a broken back and pelvis. She was told she couldn’t have children but in 1969 gave birth to her son, William.

Beauty and presentation were always a part of Eilleen’s life, and she worked the beauty counter at Woolco in Brantford for many years before becoming an independent consultant for Alouette Cosmetics. Eilleen loved her garden, baking elderberry pies, and making Strawberry jam all of which she continued to do into her early 80’s.

Eilleen was predeceased by her parents Hazel and Bill and her sister Joan. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Alex, their son William and his wife Kasey, granddaughter Max, and her brother, Bob. She will be greatly missed by many nieces and nephews and their families especially Jeff, Evan and Hailey Van Sickle who grew up next door. The love and support over the years from nieces Kim Van Sickle, Marilyn Howden, Natalie Butter and her lifelong friend and cousin Lynn Lightle meant the world to Eilleen. She will be sorely missed, but the stories of Eilleen will be told for generations.

Cremation has been performed and a Celebration of Life will be held at 447 Wing in Mount Hope, on November 2 from 1-4. Please come share stories of Eilleen and her amazing life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to McMaster Children’s Hospital, an organization Eilleen was passionate about.