Obituary of Elsie Marie MacLellan, Glace Bay

It is with heavy hearts we announce the peaceful passing of our dear wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Elsie Marie MacLellan, age 86. Mom passed away at the An Cala Care Unit on Thursday February 3, 2022 surrounded by family. Born in Glace Bay, she was the daughter of the late Christine (Warren) and Neil Nicholson and was a member of St Anne’s Parish. Mom is survived by her husband of 65 years Jim, children, Jim (Debbie), Sean (Paula), Joseph (Michele), Carter, Wendy and Kevin (Lori), grandchildren, Matthew, Michael, Ryan (Angela), Adam (Megan), Mitchell (Dee), Jillian, Jenna, Ian & Breton and their father, Jeff Claseman, Annalee, Rylan and great-grandchildren, William, Daniel and Rebecca. Mom is survived by sisters, Janet (Glen), Mary (Larry) and a brother, Lorne (Gayle), brother-in-law, Fred (Patricia), sisters-in-law, Lynn, Marion, Hughena and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Mom was predeceased by a daughter in infancy, Christine Elizabeth and her brothers, George, Neil, Bill and Warren. Mom would drive dad to work and hurry home to drive kids to the Miners Forum for a 6:30 am practice, often making 2 trips with a baby in the car. In the mid-seventies Mom was voted the “Mother of the Year” for Bob (Bugsy) Seward’s hockey clinic. Although she loved darts and bowling, her greatest passion was watching her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren perform. It could any of the many activities such as baseball, softball, basketball, hockey, soccer and rugby, dance recitals, school concerts, her and dad were always front and center no matter where the activities happened. They visited from St John’s, NFLD to Victoria, BC and a hundred points in between to watch us. We knew all the Motels in the Maritimes with a pool. Elsie’s favorite pass time was dancing, most of the time it would be wearing dresses that she made at the kitchen table with her Singer sewing machine. Mom especially enjoyed New Year’s Eve where her and dad would join close friends, Steve and Rosella Hogan and head for the IOOF Hall in Donkin were they would meet up with Hook and Annie Edmunds and Vince and Duddie Ryan. The Donkin people were so friendly, we would dance the whole night long, it was priceless. A very special thank you goes out to her sister, Janet and our sister, Wendy who provided daily loving care over the last few years during Covid restrictions, especially the last 4 days in the CBRH, An Cala Unit. Thank you to Seaview Manor and staff for the professional and loving care to Elsie over the last 3 years. Also a thank you for the wonderful care provided by staff at the CBRH, An Cala Unit. Finally our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Ley, Anne and Lynn. Due to Covid restrictions, a private Funeral Mass will be held at St Anne’s Church, Glace Bay with Father Norman MacPhee presiding with the assistance of family friend, Deacon Shawn Bigley. Burial will be held at later date in St Anne’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in the memory of Elsie can be made to a charity of one’s choice. The funeral is under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home and Cremation Centre, 16 Reserve St, Glace Bay. On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.