ELLA LYNNE “PEACHIE” MAJOR

With heavy hearts, we announce that Ella passed away on Saturday. November 12th in her home as she wished with family by her side.

She is predeceased by her parents, Ella and John (Jack) Inkster, her sister Lucille and her brothers Jim, Glen, Jack, and Wes, and her In-laws Geraldine and Charles Major.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years John, her daughters Missy (Gary) and Wendy; granddaughters Amanda and Olivia.

Ella’s life went full circle: she was born in Selkirk, and she was cremated in Selkirk.

Ella was a loving person, a quality known to her family, friends, and her many dogs.

She was nothing if not determined.  She was determined to graduate high school in Selkirk with her friends even though her family had moved to Winnipeg. So, Ella commuted on the bus every school day from Winnipeg to Selkirk and back until graduation. This determination was on display in her job interviews as she got every job but one that she interviewed for: The Canadian Wheat Board, Bank of Montreal, Fargo National Bank, Atlantic Promotions and Coty Canada. The one that did not hire her was a new venture that closed within 6 months and we would laugh and say that that was because they didn’t hire Ella!

Ella always strived do her best at whatever task she took on. In the bank see was always the top teller. At Coty, she chose to work part-time because she did not want anyone to control her completely and she wanted to live her morning prayer:

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Ella’s Morning Prayer

It seems to me that waking up

is such an awful way

To have to start the morning

every single day

My brain is in a groggy haze

My mood is mean and grumpy

My hair’s a mess and so’s my face

From head to toe I’m frumpy!

I simply cannot function

when morning comes so soon!

I wish that I could stay in bed

and start my day at noon!

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And get closer to her dream job of working 1 to 9.

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Even as a part-time rep, she led the company in sales in her 3rd year. It was her love of flowers that made her love working and excel in the fragrance industry.

Out of school she went to work for the Canadian Wheat Board but did not find it offered enough of a challenge, so she moved to the Bank of Montreal and was assigned to their Bannerman & Main branch where she quickly moved up to Head Teller. It was there that she met her husband to be John. It was love at first sight for him, her, not so much.

She agreed to marry him if he went back to university so immediately after their wedding, they moved to Fargo, ND. John went to school and Ella went to work at the Fargo National Bank. When Ella interviewed for the job, the VP was so impressed that he wrote a letter to Immigration stating that no American had her qualifications for the position. It was here in Fargo that Ella and John formed a lifelong friendship with Milt and Dolly Strand.

After moving back to Winnipeg came her first born, Michelle (Missy) in 1971 and she took on the challenge of being a stay-at-home Mom. And two plus years later a move to Red Deer, AB. where her second daughter, Wendy was born in 1974.

We moved back to Winnipeg in 1977 where she doubled as mother and office manager in the family business.

Then came her first grand daughter, Amanda, in 1998.   Ella babysat Amanda for the first two years of her life, and they also spent every Friday night together, with sleepovers at Gramma’s house.  Being Gramma was Ella’s favorite job. 

Her second granddaughter Oliva came in 2010, although she wasn’t here in Winnipeg, Ella loved the facetime calls and hearing all about Olivia’s dancing. 

Ella went 1 for 2 with cancer. Her first cancer, breast cancer, was in 2000. She faced it head on as always and beat it. 

Ella then returned to the workforce, but in a new profession. She started with Atlantic Promotions and then moved to Coty Canada the fragrance giant.

Ella and John lived on Morton Bay for over 45 years and have enjoyed friendships with many of the neighbors.   Over the years, Ella and John traveled on vacations to many places, but Hawaii was always a favorite.  It was Ella’s happy place. 

When she was diagnosed with rectal cancer this past June we just figured that she would face it head on and beat it! No problem, right. But this cancer was too powerful for her to deal with. But typical Ella, she died her way, at home with her family by her side.

In Accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held.

The family would like to thank her doctors and nurses from Cancer Care and her Home Care nurses whom treated Ella with extreme care, compassion, and love that she really appreciated and looked forward to every visit.

We would like to thank Ethical Death Care for all the continuing support and arrangements. They have been so compassionate with our family.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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