Obituary of Murdena Isabel MacLellan

MURDENA I (MUNROE) MACLELLAN, passed away from her earthly life peacefully and surrounded by love, on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, following a brief decline in health. Born in Sundridge, Pictou County, at the home of her maternal grandparents on September 19, 1915, she was the eldest of a family of five, born to the late Gavin C and Gladys B (Adamson) Munroe. Her Scottish heritage and wonderful, loving family of origin was always a source of great pride. She loved to share many of her most cherished childhood memories with her own family. During her long life she experienced many joys and sorrows, but her deep faith in our Triune God gave her great strength and comfort and she saw to it that the seeds of faith were both planted and nurtured in the hearts of her family. Murdena is survived by her loving family of four daughters; Jessie MacWilliam, Loudelle (MacKenzie) King, Catherine (Jim) Hiscott, Regan (Robin) Campbell, as well as her only son William (Sybil) MacLellan. She is also survived by sixteen much-loved grandchildren; thirty-two great-grandchildren, and fourteen great-great grandchildren; many of whom were privileged to know and share love with their Nana and "Little" or "Great" Nana. She also leaves several nieces and nephews who shared lots of great times with their "Aunt Mur" over the years. Besides her parents, she was pre-deceased by her husband Daniel MacLellan (1971), her eldest daughter Shirley (Cane) Richardson, earlier this year, her sister Loudelle (Kerr) Matheson; three brothers, Edgar, Clyde and Vernon Munroe; sons-in-law Joe Richardson, Bill MacWilliam, her grandson Forbes MacWilliam (1969), and two nephews, Clyde and Ronnie Munroe. She was most recently pre-deceased by grand-nephew, Carlton Munroe. Murdena was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Stellarton. She was a former member of the Church Choir, the Ladies Guild, and a Life Member of the Atlantic Mission Society. She was also a leader of the Mission Band at First Church. Murdena was also a long-time member of the LOBA Lodge in Eureka. In her fifties and sixties, she worked at Glen Haven Manor, New Glasgow. Later she provided care for several elderly people in their homes. The family "Camp" in Greenvale, was one of her favourite places to spend time with family and friends for many years. It was especially during those years that she filled more than a few Journals with her thoughts about life, family and faith, written as prose or poetry. She loved her country and her beautiful province of Nova Scotia, especially Pictou County. She considered it to be the most beautiful place in the world in which to live. She and her family have always been so grateful for the excellent care and love she received from her "family" at Glen Haven Manor, New Glasgow, which has been her home for more than nine years. She, and we felt very blessed that she was able to be in their midst, especially during her last week. The staff, many of whom were considered her adopted "babies", tended to her with such wonderful, loving, compassionate care, not exclusively, but especially during the last days of her life’s journey. We don’t want to single out any, for fear we miss even one, but you know who you are, and how special you were to her. She had a life-long love of music, and she shared that love with many during her time at Glen Haven. A special thanks to Sister Mary MacMahon, who continues to bring spiritual light to those of all faiths. Our mother loved you so much. She referred to you as "The Blessed Heart!" Murdena was gifted with a great spirit, and was a fount of wit and wisdom to her family and those who knew and loved her. Above all, she had a very loyal and deep sense of family, and passed that on. We loved and were loved by her, and are so grateful that we had her in our lives for so many years. We miss you Mama. You will always be in our hearts until we meet again. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 6-8 pm on Thursday, December 28, 2017 in the H.C. MacQuarrie Funeral Chapel, Stellarton. Funeral service will be held at 11 am on Friday, December 29, 2017 in First Presbyterian Church, Stellarton with Rev. Dr. Kenneth MacLeod officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall. Burial will be in Heatherdale Memorial Gardens. Donations in her memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Stellarton, Glen Haven Manor or a charity of your choice. www.angusfuneralhomes.com