With sadness, we announce the passing of Ellen McIvor in Calgary at the age of 103 years. Ellen was born in Daysville, Saskatchewan to Gordon and Catherine Macnab who had homesteaded in northwestern Saskatchewan near the town of Mervin. She was 1 of 11 children born and raised on the farm, all of whom helped out with the chores including milking cows, slopping pigs, harvesting, and all the kitchen duties. It was here that Ellen learned to bake bread and cinnamon rolls, both of which became legendary during her later years. Baking day always saw numerous visitors appear and the buns disappear. Farm life gave Ellen an appreciation for hard work and perseverance that she maintained throughout her life. Growing up with a large family helped develop her wicked wit and a deep love and appreciation for family. The clan was a tight knit group with a goodly amount of teasing and fun along the way. The farm was never too far away as the family spent Easter, Christmas, and most summer vacations with relatives in Mervin. Ellen and her sisters earned their high school diplomas via correspondence. Afterward she went to Normal school in Saskatoon and received her Teaching Certificate. Her first assignment was at a one-room schoolhouse in Livelong, SK, teaching Grades 1 to 12. Ellen then moved to Lloydminster where she taught for a number of years. It was in Lloydminster that Ellen was set up on a blind date with the man who would be the love of her life. Ellen and Don married in 1953 and Ellen left her teaching post to live the nomadic life of an oil worker, towing their 500 sq. ft. skid shack behind them to villages and small towns in Alberta before finally settling in Calgary in 1966. In Calgary, Ellen returned to the classroom teaching Grade 3 at Chinook Park for the next ten years. Ellen and Don enjoyed a rich social life with many of their life-long friends, especially from the oil patch. Ellen will always be remembered for her love of life. Her door was always open to all friends and family, as long as they didn’t mind losing a few quarters to her playing crib or penny ante. She would put on the naive farm girl act and then, with the usual glint in her eye and a great deal of laughter, would leave with all the winnings! Ellen loved her family and imparted strong values to her boys as well as the grandchildren. Ellen is predeceased by her husband Don, and her sisters and brothers: Chrissie, Elsie, Margaret, May (her twin), Pat, Jean, Gordon, Betty, and Alan. She is survived by her brother Charlie; her daughter Linda (Ron); sons Gordon (Colette) and Morrie (Joanne): grandchildren: Colin, Meghan, Kallum, Cameron, and Hannah; and six great-grandchildren.