Elsa Lessard

Elsa Lessard passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025, at home with loved ones by her side. She celebrated her 103rd birthday with friends and family members on July 2.

Elsa is predeceased by her parents Francis and Lucilla (nee Adams), her son, John, her grandson, David, her siblings, Frank, Mildred, Adrienne, Alf, Ossie and Ernie. Survived by her daughter, Janice, daughter-in-law Ginnie, her grandchildren, Debbie, Wendy, Nic, her great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Kaitlin, Nina and Connor and her great-great grandchildren Rory and Logan. She will be missed by many friends and extended family.

Elsa is a WWII veteran and “WREN” as they were known, belonging to the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service. She is notable for her work as a “Secret Listener” intercepting German Naval signals to be decoded at Bletchley Park on the famed decoding machine of Alan Turing. For her service she received the Voluntary Service Medal, the War Medal and in 2024, the King Charles III Coronation Medal. She received a Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation (2008), the Bletchley Park Service Badge (2010), the Robert I Hendy Award (2023), and has been described as a “National Treasure” by Adrienne Arseneau of the CBC and Admiral Topshee, Commander Royal Canadian Navy. Elsa was a passionate educator and enjoyed sharing her experience with Canadians of all ages on the role women played in the war effort, reminding people that women were full members of the Navy, not an auxiliary. Elsa has been interviewed on TV and in print many times although, later in life, as her story had been more fully told, she simply asked potential interviewers and well wishers to ‘just google me’. Most recently in 2024 she appeared on CBC Newsworld on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings that marked the beginning of the end of the Second World War in Europe. In May 2025 she was a guest at the opening of the Last Voices of the Second World War exhibit at the Canadian War Museum; outlasting the band and demonstrating her swing dancing skills.

She was a proud NDP supporter, rallying for progressive causes including Women’s Rights, Canada’s Indigenous Reconciliation and peace initiatives. Born and raised in Ottawa she remained there until her death. She fondly remembered her time living in the Preston Street area, learning piano for twenty-five cents a lesson and studying ballet. An avid amateur genealogist, she set a foundation that others continue to build on. She spent hours researching family history, without the aid of the internet, from Chambois, France to Quebec with a detour through the United States and finally to Ottawa. An eager traveler, she reported there were not many parts of the world she had not visited. A trip to Chambois, as part of her research, was a travel high point.

Many thanks to the staff at Assurance Home Care and SE Health for the loving care they provided. Assurance Home Care is distinguished for their spirit of partnership, dedication, compassion and wisdom. They were instrumental in keeping Elsa at home, safe, happy and healthy.

Elsa has been interred at the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood Cemetery.  Family and friends will gather at the Canadian War Museum beginning at 6 pm on Monday, August 11, 2025 for the Celebration of Life with the program beginning shortly after.  Although not required, please consider indicating your intention to attend at tinyurl.com/ElsaCelebration to help us estimate the number of attendees.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, the Canadian War Museum or The War Amps.