| Obituary | Ellen Isabella VanBlarcom – age 93, of Kentville, passed away suddenly on Monday, January 17, 2022 at home. Born in Darlington, Durham Co., Ontario, she was a daughter of the late Alexander Ferguson and Edythe (Samis) Abernethy.
After high school, Ellen attended the Peterborough Civic Hospital of Nursing. Following her graduation in 1950, she came to Nova Scotia with three of her fellow nurses to work at the Nova Scotia Sanitorium in Kentville, one of Canada’s leading facilities dealing with the treatment of tuberculosis patients.
Ellen met and married Murray VanBlarcom in 1954, who was a railway station agent for the Dominion Atlantic Railroad. By 1962, they had four children and were living in the Wolfville Railroad Station. The family spent twelve years in Wolfville and moved to 29 River Street, Kentville, in 1972. Both these residences became gathering places for the many friends of all four children. "Ma" was always preparing food, baking cookies, and making everyone feel welcome and at home. There was nothing she enjoyed more than having her home full of her kids and their friends. The kindness and patience she exhibited for more than twenty years was a great example of how to treat people. Ellen touched the lives of many young people.
With three boys active in sports, Ellen quickly became an avid fan. She loved baseball and spent countless hours at the ballpark helping with ticket-taking and other fund raisers for the Kentville Wildcats Senior Baseball Club. Ellen and Murray travelled to Winnipeg in 1981 to watch the Wildcats capture the silver medal and were in the stands when the Cats won the 1985 National Championship held in Kentville. She was very proud of her three sons and their accomplishments as members of the team, as well as many of the players who spent time at their home.
In 1988, Ellen and Murray moved to Alicia Boulevard, Kentville, to enjoy living in a new home with a large yard and garden, something she had not previously experienced. She became an avid gardener and got great satisfaction in trying to grow as many plants and flowers as she could fit into her yard. Ellen also enjoyed sitting in her gazebo during the summer months while watching the Toronto Blue Jays’ baseball games. Ellen loved trips to the South Shore with her daughter, the beach, and listening to the ocean waves.
Ellen most delighted in having her children, grandchildren, and eventually her six great-grandchildren visit frequently and spending special occasions in their company.
Ellen is survived by her sons, Sandy (Joanne), Brian "Barney" (Margaret) and Kirk (Claire) VanBlarcom; daughter, Debbie VanBlarcom; siblings, Alexander "Sandy" (Shirley) Abernethy and Joyce Taylor; grandchildren, Aaron (Stacey), Ashley (Nick Hill), Whitney (Mike Smith), Logan (Jolene) and Brett; grand dog, Banjo; and great-grandchildren, Penny, Hank, Lucas, Lauren, Oban and Kya. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Murray VanBlarcom who passed away in 1997.
The family would like to thank everyone who took the time over the past 34 years to drop in and visit with Ellen. She truly enjoyed reminiscing and sharing special memories with her friends, her family, and her children’s friends. We believe this is what kept Ellen young at heart and enjoying life. |
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