Ella Catherine Connell (née MacLeod)

Ella Catherine Connell (née MacLeod) passed away February 15, 2025, in Perth, Ontario, at 98. Her family grieves her loss with heavy hearts and honours her memory with great respect and love.

Ella (known as Ily to family and close friends) was born in Whycocomagh, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, on September 29, 1926, the oldest of four daughters, to the late Dr. Murdoch Gordon MacLeod and Ima MacLeod (née MacLean). Ella was predeceased by her husband and best friend of 65 years, James Peter Connell, (retired deputy minister - Government of Canada), her first-born son, James Gordon Connell and his wife Sue Connell, and her dear sister Marilyn MacLeod.  

Ella attended elementary and secondary school in a one-room schoolhouse in Whycocomagh, an adamant left-hander, who loved learning and challenging her curiosity. Through her parents and early schooling, Ella discovered her love of reading, a gift that sustained her throughout her life.

Ella left Whycocomagh to study at Acadia University at the young age of 15 where she graduated with a BA in Economics, in 1946. Her plan after graduating from Acadia was to study Library Science at McGill University; however, not long after graduation, her father passed away suddenly while returning home from a house call. Ella supported her mother and helped care for her younger sisters as they all righted their lives.

It was at Acadia where her future husband, Peter, first saw Ily from a distance. They met ‘by chance’ a few years later, in Whycocomagh, when Peter accepted a job at the local branch of the Royal Bank of Canada. They fell in love, married and left for Ontario to begin their life together. As Peter’s career progressed, spanning private industry and public service, Ily managed their growing family through moves from Toronto to Belleville to Montreal to Picton and Montreal again. In the mid 1960s, Ily and Peter moved their family to Ottawa where Peter had accepted a senior role with the ‘new Public Service’. Throughout, Ily adeptly navigated the lives of their eight children through a maze of schooling and life choices, while actively involving herself on committees and boards to support their success.

In the early 1970s, while Peter was Deputy Secretary at the Treasury Board, Ily and Peter took on a new challenge, purchasing a 150-acre property in Oxford Station, where they established a working farm breeding Simmental cattle. Perhaps not the best economic decision of their life together, The Farm was a labour of love and commitment that became a beacon to their adult children and growing number of grandchildren. Ily was at the centre of it all. She kept everything and everyone moving forward (including their herd of Simmental cattle, which grew to roughly 120 head). She maintained steadfast optimism, with remarkable and deeply rooted strength and resilience.

During Peter’s years as a deputy minister with various federal government departments, Ily had opportunity to travel throughout the world. Later, in retirement, they continued their travels to visit children in various parts of the world and back home to Whycocomagh to visit her mother and beloved sisters, always returning to The Farm (down-sized to a 10-acre Bed and Breakfast hobby farm near Spencerville).

In Ella’s later years, after she and Peter moved to Perth, and after Peter’s passing in 2012, she enjoyed the company of her cocker spaniel Luci and looked forward to regular visits with her children and their families. Gatherings always included great food, conversation and good wine. In between visits, she took full advantage of her iPad, using email and FaceTime to stay connected with those she loved so much. She took pleasure in encouraging the educational pursuits of her grandchildren and followed their interests with unequivocal pride. Ella maintained her intellectual awareness and curiosity until the very end.

Throughout her life, Ella sought ways to be of service and quietly contributed to those in need. She had a wonderful appreciation of life; never taking it, or herself, too seriously. She was gracious to everyone and had the unique ability to laugh at herself, or a situation, in a way that raised others up. She was active in local libraries and was a member of the UCW for many years.

Ella was respected in the Perth community and was a participant and supporter of the Perth Enrichment Program for Seniors (PEP). She valued and benefited from the Books at Home Service offered by the Perth Union Library. She was determined to live independently in her home and did so until shortly after her 98th birthday, with the help of Ontario Health atHome and the support and friendship provided by Karen Sargeant.

Ella is survived by seven of her eight children, Dave (Denise), Bruce (Emma), Doug (Lu-Anne), Jeff, Liz (Paul), Barb (Greg), and KC (Ron); 16 loving grandchildren, Stephanie, Andrea, Natalie, Erin, Sunday, Ben, Sarah, Matthew, Chad, Lauren, Sam, Mack, Amelia, Reilly, Olivia and Emily; 13 (soon to be 14) great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and her dear sisters, Pat MacRitchie (née MacLeod) and Frannie MacLeod.

Ella’s last days were lifted by family love and caring presence, regular telephone conversations with her sisters and the support of the local medical community. She will be remembered for her quiet and profound moral fortitude, selfless compassion, wit, and intelligence. To her family she will forever be a pillar of strength and love. Rest peacefully dear Mum.

As was Ella’s wish, cremation has taken place and there will be no funeral service. A springtime Celebration of Life is planned. In Ella’s memory please consider donations to the Perth & District Union Public Library, the Perth Enrichment Program for Seniors or Doctors Without Borders.  Arrangements are in the care of Blair & Son Funeral Directors, Perth