TRENTON – Estella Minnie Ehler, 87, of Trenton, NS, passed away on December 5, 2011 in the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Unit surrounded by those she loved.
She was born in Halfway Cove, Guysborough County, the daughter of the late Howard and Sarah (Bond).
She was raised there, along with sisters: Edith, Emma, Nettie, Beulah, Florence, Ruby, and Mae, and brother Lawrence and Aunt Hazel (Bond).
In 1958, she married the love of her life, Walter. They resided in Canso and celebrated 19 happy years together until his death in 1977. They only had one child, a daughter, Margaret (Simon) Snyder. Two sons were born to Margaret and Simon, Luke and Kyle. They were not only Estella’s grandsons, they were her most precious treasures.
Estella worked in the fishing industry most of her life. At the young age of 14, she began working at the Caribou Lobster Factory and did so for many seasons. She often spoke of the “fun times” and of the wonderful friends she made during that time. She also worked at the Canso Seafood plant for 15 years until she retired. She then sold her home in Canso and moved to Trenton to be near her family, where she resided until her passing. She loved her little home which was surrounded by flowers every summer. She had a great sense of humour, loved to laugh and appreciated a good joke. She and her sisters could play cards to the wee hours of the morning and she never missed her two games of TV bingo each week.
She will be sadly missed by daughter Margaret and son-in-law Simon, Little Harbour; grandsons, Luke, Little Harbour; Kyle, New Glasgow; great-granddaughter Faith; only remaining sister, Ruby (John), Stellarton; a special niece, Ellen, Halifax; several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by sisters: Edith Williams of Havre Boucher, Emma Armsworthy of Canso, Nettie (John) Eaton of New Glasgow, Beulah Vincent of Trenton, Florence Dort of Trenton, Mae Carmichael of Hillside and brother Lawrence of Ontario.
Estella will be resting at the R.H. Porter Funeral Home, New Glasgow on Friday, December 9 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the St. George’s Anglican Church in New Glasgow on Saturday, December 10 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Mark Pretty officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, Walter, in Canso, family only.
Family flowers only. Donations may be made in memory of Estella to the IWK Health Center Foundation - Nephrology Unit.
Condolences may be sent by visiting: www.rhporter.ca
As our loved one ended her life, she was given the most outstanding care at the Aberdeen Hospital. From the beginning in the ER, to the wonderful nurses who cared for her during her illness in ICU and, finally, the most compassionate staff in the world, Dr. Farrell and the nursing staff of the Palliative Care Unit who help one’s life end with dignity and grace. These angels are not only there for the ill and dying, they are also there for the loved ones who are facing such a difficult time of loss. Thank you all so very much for what you did for us; it will never be forgotten. Special thanks also go to Dr. Barclay, Dr. Graham, Dr. Jala, Dr. Okafor, and all the staff who were involved in Estella’s care. Be proud of who you are and what you do, for I am honored to have had all of you care for my mother.