Ellen (Gillis) MacNeil
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our dear mom, Ellen Marie (Gillis) MacNeil, 91, on Oct. 17, 2011, at Victoria County Memorial Hospital.
Born Feb. 5, 1920, in Cain’s Mountain, Victoria County, she was the daughter of the late Murdock and Gladys (MacAulay) Gillis. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Ellen was a homemaker, head cook at the Highland Heights Inn, and role model for her large family. Her legacy is embodied by her volunteer efforts, including: secretary for the MacKinnon’s Harbour School Trustees; various executive positions for the Rankin Memorial Home and School Association and the Nova Scotia Home and School Association; county representative on the Cape Breton Victoria Library Board; first female president of the Nova Scotia Highland Village Association; member of Clan MacNeil; leading member of the Victoria County Rural Beautification Project; member of the board of directors for the Iona Co-Op Store; Altar Society member St. Columba Parish and Sacred Heart Mission Church; Eucharistic Minister and a member of the parish councils for St. Columba Church, Iona, and St. Michael’s Church, Baddeck; founding member of the first Alderwood Guest Home Working Council; active member of the Provincial and Federal Liberal Party; president of the Victoria County Liberal Ladies Association. One of her greatest pleasures was her many years (20 plus) of volunteering at Alderwood, “Giving them a hand with the old folks”.
She is survived by her children, Gladys (Cameron) MacDougall, Antigonish; Jean (Duncan) MacNeil, Grass Cove; Hughie, Windsor; Michael Dan (Michelle), Jamesville; Bruno (Marilyn), Kingsville; Murdock (Jeanne), North Sydney; Carleton (Joan), Clydesdale; Verna (Ernie) MacDonald, River Ryan; Francis, Howie Centre; Sheila, Iona; foster children, Marie Cook, Antigonish, and Ricky Arsenault, Ontario; daughter-in-law, Dena (Hector) MacDonald, Sydney River; foster sister, Beatrice McKay, Big Harbour Island.
Grammie Neil is survived by her grandchildren, Ann Marie, Tony, Maureen, Monica, Joe; Charles, Dennis; Ken, Kyle; Glenda Joy, Donald Andrew; Elliot, Everett; Jenna, Matthew, Shannon, Judith; Donna, Carla, Joanna; Dawn, Helen; Daniel, Melissa, Katelyn; Amanda, Amy. She is also survived by 24 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and friends, especially her good friend, Maye MacRae.
She was predeceased by her parents, husband Dan R.; son, Melvin; daughter-in-law, Brenda; two grandchildren in infancy, Kathryna and John; sisters, Kaye, Murdel, Mamie, and Matilda; foster sister, Annie.
Visitation for Ellen will be held on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, from 2-9 p.m., at St. Columba Parish Centre. Mass of Christian Burial to take place Saturday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m., at St. Columba Church, Iona. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, MacKinnon’s Harbour.
The family greatly appreciates the excellent care Mom received from her caretakers at Alderwood Guest Home and Victoria County Memorial Hospital.
Memorial donations may be made to Alderwood Working Council in Mom’s memory.
“Gus an coinnich sinn a’rithist”
