Ellen Forsley

A memorial service will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 1:00 pm, led by Wilma Shirriff.  A private interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.  The service will be live streamed, click here to register https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=0a7efeea-3261-49cf-9e14-6c07939c7a6f

It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Ellen Forsley on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at the age of 104 years at Douglas Campbell Lodge, Portage la Prairie.

Left to mourn her passing and cherish her memory is her only daughter, Arlene and many close nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and many good friends.

Mom was predeceased by her husband, George, in September 1985, her parents, Fred and Florence Puddicombe, brothers Fred and Joe and sister Edith, all her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law as well as a number of her nieces and nephews of both sides of the family.

Mom was born on March 28, 1917, the second eldest child, in Portage la Prairie and lived her childhood in South Lakeland District attaining her early education at Lakeside School and then went to Gladstone and Holland to complete her High School.  She lived at home with her parents until she married George on February 24, 1941.  They lived and farmed in Lakeland until 1964 when she and Dad moved to Portage la Prairie.  After Dad’s passing, she lived in the family home on Crescent Road until moving into an apartment on River Road where she resided for many years.  She moved to Stonewall in the spring of 2018 to live with her daughter and shared her time between Stonewall and Langruth with her nephew Ernie Wilson and his wife Lois. She enjoyed her time in Stonewall meeting and making new friends and when she was in Langruth, she re-united with old friends and neighbours and always enjoyed taking part in the Seniors suppers.  In November 2019 she moved back to Portage to live in the Douglas Campbell Lodge where she resided until her passing.

After moving to Portage to live, Mom worked at Tots and Teens and in 1969 began working at Stylerite Department Store in the fabric department and worked there until she retired in 1981.  Mom was an active member of the Royal Purple in both Langruth and Portage serving in various positions through the years including Honored Royal Lady.  She received her life time membership in1979 and her 50 year pin in 2009.  Mom was a member of the McKenzie United Church and a longtime member of the McKenzie UCW.  She volunteered at the Portage General Hospital Gift Shop and was a 4-H leader in the Langruth Sewing Club.  Over the years, Mom volunteered many hours of her time and always enjoyed her time spent with the many friends she had made while doing it.

Mom was an excellent cook and especially enjoyed baking.  Mom was a beautiful sewer and had many hobbies through the years including doing crafts, quilting, knitting and crocheting Afghans.  She was in a bowling league for years.  Another of Mom’s favourite past times was playing the fiddle.  Many good times were had at family gatherings when she played her fiddle.  She always enjoyed her home and yard and even after moving into an apartment, she still loved to plant and work in her flowers.

A special thank you to the wonderful staff at the Douglas Campbell Lodge for all their care, compassion and support provided to my Mother during her time living there and especially during her final days.  She loved all the nurses, recreation and support people who took such good care of her and I know it was reciprocated.  Mom was a very gentle and loving person – always grateful to everyone.  She always enjoyed all the activities and loved to take part in everything offered.

I would also like to give a very special thank you to my cousin Lois for all her help and support during the time Mom was in palliative care.  I could not have done it without her and I really appreciated it so much.  Thank you to Ernie for sharing her and your support as well.  I also want to thank all my family and friends for their love and support during a very difficult time.

A memorial service will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 1:00 pm, led by Wilma Shirriff.  A private interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.  The service will be live streamed, click here to register https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=0a7efeea-3261-49cf-9e14-6c07939c7a6f

Flowers are gratefully declined.  If desired, donations can be made to McKenzie United Church Memorial Fund, 85 - 11th St. NW, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 2S2 or to Big Grass Community Foundation for Lakeland Cemetery, PO Box 497, Gladstone, MB ROJ 0T0.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com