Obituary of Shirley Nancy McLellan-MacDonald

No doubt Shirley Nancy McLellan-MacDonald is reading this obituary with a cup of coffee in hand and smiling. As part of her morning routine, she would read the Chronicle Herald from cover to cover, including the obituaries.

And now, her name appears.

Mom was 88 years young when she passed away suddenly on June 24, 2020 at Haliburton Place, Windsor.

She was predeceased by her parents, Harry and Meda (Tufts) Wile, her first husband, James McLellan, her second husband Ralph (Rassie) MacDonald and sisters Ermie Coolen, Lily Russell, Florence Silver, Hilda Neily and her sweet dog, Teddy.

She will be forever missed by her children, Stephen McLellan, Suzanne Cowan (Tim) and Cheryl McLellan (Randy); grandchildren Wilson Cowan, Christopher Babineau and Daniel Babineau and siblings Emily Wile, Laverne Clayton and Berlyn Wile, many other relatives and dear friend Mildred, but they will never forget her love of life and laughter.

Mom loved family visits.

She made the best rocky road squares and hodge podge in NS - "It's all in the cream," she'd say. Other passions included tending her summertime flowers at her Mt. Denson home, which she shared with Ralph. "The secret is talking to them," she confided. She could sit in her sunporch for hours and watch the birds in the yard. Pretty sure she named them all. And nothing topped a bowl of fresh strawberries and cream. "It's all in the cream and lots of sugar.”  Mom loved to play Big Mama with Ralph and laughed victoriously when she emerged champion. We would hear about it on the phone the following day. Music was another of mom’s loves. Sometimes she'd startle those around her when she spontaneously belted out all the words of a song at a moment's notice, triggered by something you said. Christmas was a winter wonderland at mom’s place. She'd say, "Just one more thing!" and add another decoration. She loved shopping, but particularly in December. When she walked into a store before Christmas, you could see the managers rub their hands together with glee. Later, the lobby of MacLeod House where mom resided for 18 months became the new wonderland setting.

During her final days at Haliburton Place, mom was fortunate to have her sister, Laverne, as her roommate. Yes, Laverne and Shirley. They were typical siblings sharing a room, but they dearly loved and looked out for each other. Haliburton staff were always patient and caring.

MOM was fun loving and had a terrific sense of humour. She loved to make people smile and would go out of her way to elicit laughter from someone who was feeling down. Years ago, someone said that arthritis was God's way of slowing her down.

Her life was not always rosy. She suffered from depression most of her life, but she always regained the upper hand.

We miss you so much mom, but you are with Rassie and Teddy now, enjoying a glass of beer and a snuggle.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date, when family and friends are allowed to attend. And, at the gathering, there will hopefully be lots of hugs. Mom loved hugs. Memorial donations may be made in mom’s memory to Mt Denson United Baptist Church, PO Box 280, Hantsport. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4P 1B9 (902-679-2822).