Jeffs, Ella Marie
(Constable)
August 31, 1923 - May 22, 2015
It is with great sadness, that our family must announce the passing of our dear mother Ella. Together, we know in our hearts that she lived an incredible life and that she is now gloriously reunited with our father Ted, her husband of 63 years.
Mom was born in Wolsely, Saskatchewan in the Qu’appelle Valley. She was the eleventh of twelve children and spent a joyful childhood on the farm where she helped with strenuous chores and kitchen work and began her passion for loving people with food.
Mom moved to Nanaimo as a young woman and worked in various clothing stores, one being Jean Burns Ladies Wear. She also went to work at the White Owl Restaurant, which was owned and operated by the Jeffs’ family, that is where she met Ted, love struck and Ella married Ted on July 26th, 1950. They were good Catholics and produced seven children.
Mom was very social and made many lifelong friends through church, work life, neighbours and her frequent stays at the maternity ward. She adopted many of her childrens’ friends as her own. She loved to cook, bake, preserve and shared her talents for entertaining through all the seasonal festivities, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and soothing the hearts of ailing friends. The Kinsmen presented her an honorary award for providing desserts for their weekly club dinner meetings.
Everyone will remember Ella in their own special way but all would unanimously agree that they loved her infectious laugh, stories, jokes, cooking, desserts, eye-catching earrings and signature yellow clothing. Our greatest inheritance was learning Mom’s zest for life and her teaching us how to make everyone feel welcomed and loved.
Mom enjoyed travelling the world on Dad’s business affiliated trips with the United Van Lines, cruising, bus tours and family vacations. She also thoroughly enjoyed the anticipation of winning the lottery and scratching the days away.
Mom’s pride and joys were her children, grand and great grandchildren. She would light up with delight whenever they dropped in for a visit. We were always thrilled when Mom/Nana went to her freezer and pulled out a variety of cookies, scones, chicken wings, muffins, tarts, pies, cinnamon buns and marshmallow squares. Visitors were also blessed with Mom’s endless creations that were made with her love. A legacy that we will cherish long after the freezer and pantry are emptied for the last time.
Ella was predeceased by her husband Ted in February of 2014, her parents William and Lillie Constable and her siblings Henry, John, Charles, George, Robert, Margaret, Mary, Grace, Violet, Joseph and Florence.
Mom will be missed and survived by her children Ken, Cheryl (Ken), Marie (Adam), Gail (Don), Michelle, Mark (Julie) and Chris (Joanne). Her grandchildren Jordan, Brittany, Nicholas, Anton, Thomas, Brett, Dane, Kent and Kenadee. Her great grandchildren Zakary, Teddy, Brittannia and Mariah. Her brother-in-law George Jeffs (Evelyn) and Sister-in-law Shirley Vaillancourt and many nieces, nephew and dear friends.
Please come and celebrate the life of this amazing woman on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 11:00 am at Trinity Catholic Church, 6234 Spartan Road, Nanaimo, B.C.
As Dad would often say: “When God made Ella he threw away the mold!”