It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our mother Ella, just three days shy of her 89th birthday.

Ella was predeceased by her father and mother John and Margaret Doig, her loving husband Harvey, her brothers John and Dave, and sister Margaret.

Ella will be lovingly remembered by her three children Bob (Debbie), Jack, and Elaine (Larry); grandchildren Sheila, Rob, Greg, Ryan, Jeff, Angela and Aaron; great grandchildren Curan, Cooper, Mira, Daelan, Kale, and Brody, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Ella started dancing when she was six years old, and started highland dancing a few years after that. She was the second dancer to be registered with the B.C. Highland Dancing Association at the age of 16, and competed for many years throughout Western Canada, the United States, and Scotland, winning many Championships along the way.

Ella channeled her skill and passion for dancing, and combined that with her boundless energy to teach Highland, Tap, Ballet, Jazz, and dozens of Ethnic Folk Dances to countless students for over 60 years from her home studio in Vancouver.

In addition to her teaching career and raising a wonderful family, somehow she managed to find the time to give back to the community even more through countless volunteer hours with the MACTE Service Club, the Collingwood Concert Party, and the Vancouver Folk Festival. There are literally thousands of folks who have been entertained over the years by watching Ella's pupils perform their choreographed dance routines at Lower Mainland schools, hospitals, veterans facilities, extended care facilities, correctional institutions, community stages, as well as the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and Kitsilano ShowBoat.

In Ella's later years, she really enjoyed her 5 Pin Bowling League, as well as a few rounds of any type of card game... especially cribbage. Always a good cook, she continued to make her special shortbread and canned jams until very recently, which her children scrambled to get first dibs on. After growing up and living in Vancouver for most of her life, Ella had moved with Harvey to Kamloops in 2001.

The family would like to express our warmest thanks and gratitude to all the wonderful staff at the Overlander Extended Care Hospital in Kamloops. Thank you!

A Celebration of Ella's life will be held in the Chapel at Schoening Funeral Service, 513 Seymour Street, Kamloops, B.C. on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.

The family requests that any expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the Alzheimer's Society of B.C., 543 Battle Street, Kamloops, B.C., (250) 377-8200.

Condolences may be expressed at www.schoenings.com