Ellen THORNBOROUGH

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THORNBOROUGH: Ellen Thornborough passed away at the Glenboro Hospital on Thursday, November 18, at the age of 93. She was born January 25, 1917, on the family farm at Stockton, Manitoba. She leaves to mourn daughters Gail (Bob Gillespie), Dorothy (Rick Brown), and son Bob (Kathy); grandchildren Paul Gillespie (friend Stacey), Michael Gillespie (Karen), Ian Brown (Tracey), Erin Leclerc (friend Keith) and Adam Thornborough; great-grandchildren Matthew Gillespie; Josh, Aynsley and Madyson Brown; and Owen and Dray Leclerc. Also surviving are sisters-in-law Emiliene Mills and Gert Cullen, and many nieces and nephews. Ellen was predeceased by her husband John, her parents Jack and Maggie Mills, her sister Marion Carscadden, her brother Jim Mills, and her in-laws Henry and Harriet Thornborough. Ellen worked at Rumford’s Laundry in Brandon before moving to Vancouver where she was employed at a bank. Ellen and John were married in Vancouver in 1944. On their return to Manitoba, they purchased farmland north of the Assiniboine River, land which is now part of Spruce Woods Provincial Park, and began to raise their family. The family moved to Glenboro when the children began school. In the years after John’s death in 1966, Ellen was employed as a cook at the Spruce Woods Inn. She resided in Glen Haven Manor in Glenboro for the last two years of her life. Family and community were very important to Ellen. She enjoyed her involvement as a 4-H leader. For more than 50 years, she was an active member of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, including teaching Sunday School and holding many offices within its ACW Auxilliary. She always looked forward to the annual ACW bazaar and tea. Ellen would often pick up a friend for a drive to Marsh’s Lake for a visit over coffee. Her sewing skills brought enjoyment to others and many ACW members will remember quilting bees in Ellen’s basement. A regular curler in her younger years, Ellen became an avid curling fan and she missed very few televised curling events. Ellen was enriched by lifelong personal friendships, particularly that with her closest friend Mary Moore and her always supportive neighbour Daisy Steer. Ellen thrived on family visits and gatherings. She enjoyed cooking for her family and there were always arguments over who should get the last tart or piece of shortbread. There were many family picnics over the years. Ellen was delighted when one of her children would walk through the door or a grandchild would telephone to say hi, and she always wanted to know the latest about the activities of her great-grandchildren. She loved being surrounded by photographs of her family and friends. Ellen enjoyed yet another country drive with her son just a few days before her death. A private family internment took place prior to a service held on November 23, 2010, at Willmor Chapel in Glenboro, Manitoba. If friends wish, donations in memory of Ellen may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.willmorchapel.com. Jamieson’s Funeral Service of Glenboro in care of arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 27, 2010