Obituary of Ella Marston

MARSTON, Ella Charlotte (McIlwain)

Peacefully at the Carveth Care Centre in Gananoque on Friday, January 12, 2024, Ella Marston of Vankleek Hill formerly of Cassburn passed away at the age of 89. Predeceased by her parents Ella 'Dolly' (Nixon) and Russell McIlwain. 

Beloved wife of 69 years to Ian Marston.

Loving mother of Sydney of Mallorytown, Ontario, Elaine Richards (Bob) of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Kevin (Jill) of Comox, British Columbia. Dearly loved grandmother of Kim, Jenna, Tyler, Elisha, Belinda, and Emily. Fond great-grandmother of Julie, Katherine, Layne, Kylie, Clair, Kate, and Benjamin. Survived by her brother Rae (Lucille). Predeceased by her siblings George (Catherine) and Shirley. 

Ella grew up on a small family farm in Vankleek Hill. After finishing high school, she worked as a switchboard operator for Bell Canada. At 19, she met and married the love of her life, Ian. She moved to the Marston farm in Cassburn, where she raised her three children and did her share of running the farm. Ella also took on driving school bus and got to watch many students grow up during her more than 20 years. She loved to reminisce about many of her students. Ella also took pride in helping with caretaking of Cassburn Cemetery, arranging flowers at gravesites and cutting grass. After retiring, Ella and Ian moved to Vankleek Hill and loved travelling to both the East coast and the West coast to visit their faraway children and grandchildren. They made many trips in both directions with their camper, always bringing along her much-loved shortbread cookies. In 2020, they moved into assisted living in Brockville.

A Service of Remembrance will be held in private.

In memory of Ella a donation to the Dementia Society 2327 St. Laurent Boulevard, Unit 500, Ottawa, ON K1G 4J8 would be appreciated. A Tree of Remembrance for Ella will be planted in the McAlpine Forever Forest, Vankleek Hill.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Hillcrest Funeral Home, 151 Bond Street, Vankleek Hill, Ontario K0B 1K0, 613-678-2002.