MARIE (Agnes Marie) ELL, beloved wife of Martin Ell of Lethbridge, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 at the age of 85 years. Besides her loving husband, Marie is survived by her daughter Glenna Ell, son Dennis (Dianne) Ell, granddaughter Sue (Mike) Medhurst and great-grandchildren Zachary and Genevi?? Marie (her namesake) all of Lethbridge, Alberta. She is also survived by a cousin, Mrs. Catherine (Kay) Dwyer of Arlington, Massachusetts. Marie and ‘Cousin Kay’ corresponded back and forth from the time both were little girls, never meeting face to face until Kay travelled to Lethbridge to attend the 2002 wedding of Marie’s only grandchild. Meeting and spending time with her American cousin, the only surviving link to her childhood, was a memory Marie cherished. Marie was born March 4, 1922 in Castor, Alberta to Angus and Nellie MacCormack. As a young adult, Marie followed her older half-sister Rita to Vancouver where she trained as a telephone operator. Marie returned to Alberta and met her future husband over a Sunday dinner held at the home of mutual acquaintances. The newly-wed Ells travelled the countryside living near the construction camps Martin worked for as a dragline operator building bridges and roads. Marie made a loving home for her husband and, as their family grew to include Glenna, the small trailer took them to Gliechen, Waterton, even the Lethbridge river valley for a time. After the birth of son Dennis, the Ells began the construction of their homestead located on Ell family acres (NE ? 1/4 18-9-13 W4) near Grassy Lake, Alberta and moved into the house in 1955. They eventually purchased the quarter outright from Martin’s father in 1968. Marie settled in to raise her children and was an active member of the community, involved with the CWL, PTA, the now defunct Jolly Joggers and (with her husband) square dancing. Martin’s health prompted a move to ’town’ in 1974 but the farm lifestyle never really seemed to stop. Her gardens and grounds reflect more than three decades’ dedication to the love of green and growing things. The kitchen where she loved to cook was truly the heart of her home; a place not only to share a meal but to comfort hurts, have a laugh, or discuss current events and ‘catch up.’ Marie was a true lady: gentle but strong, soft-spoken yet feisty, loving and much-loved. With physical limitations in her latter years, she still put on the turkey for Christmas, loved a drive out in the country, and enjoyed very much the time spent as ‘Grammie’ to her great-grandchildren. We will remember her devotion to her family, her shy giggle when surprised, her unconditional love and her sweet and dear heart. Although we will miss her deeply, her spirit will never be lost. We will carry it with us forever. She was predeceased by her father Angus Daniel MacCormack in 1933, her mother Nellie Alexander MacCormack in 1943, elder half-brother Lewis Owen Worsnop in 1959, younger brother Donald (Angus Donald) MacCormack in 1970 and elder half-sister Rita Irene Askeland in 1986. A Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge on Monday, February 11, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. A Funeral Service will be held at ST. PATRICK’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 917 - 4th Avenue South, Lethbridge on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. with Reverend Tim Boyle officiating. Memorial donations in Marie’s honour may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 210D - 12 ‘A’ Street North, Lethbridge, AB, T1H 2J1, Kidney Foundation, 438-10 Street North, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1H 2C7, Heart & Stroke Foundation #207, 542 - 7th Street South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 2H1 or to a charity of your choice.