Ellen Elizabeth Clayton

Ellen was born to Leslie and Kathleen Purdy on September 15, 1945 at the Lincoln County Hospital in Lincoln, England. She was the first of 14 brothers and sisters. Her schooling up to age 15 was at the St. Giles Secondary Modern School in Lincoln and following this she began working as a shop assistant in a local grocery store.

She met David (Dave), her husband to be, at a local dance at the Coop Hall in Lincoln. Their eyes met and the rest was history. They were married in Leicester, England in 1968 once Dave had graduated. Ellen went to college to learn book keeping and dressmaking and eventually began working as a book keeper in a local company in Lincoln.

In 1970, Ellen and Dave moved to Kitwe, Zambia as Dave was offered a job in the Copper Mining Industry. Ellen worked for a short time as a book keeper in a local construction company until her first child, Sarah, was born in 1971. Although Ellen had house help with her housework and gardening, she kept busy with cooking, organizing dinner parties and barbecues, as well as dressmaking. In 1975, her second child, Victoria, was born. She loved to travel both in Zambia and the surrounding countries. Together, Ellen and Dave converted a van to a camper and started their camping experiences.

In 1977, Ellen and Dave returned to England, as Dave took a job in Grimsby, England. They bought their first house, and in 1979 their third daughter, Jessica, was born. Ellen became very involved with the local church especially in the choir. She was able to spend more time with her family when she returned to England.

In 1981, Dave was offered a job in Fort McMurray, Alberta, and the family moved in December to a new experience. Once in her own home Ellen enjoyed cooking, gardening, and entertaining, as well as being involved in the local Anglican Church as a Lay Reader and Board member. Ellen’s favourite was family camping in Alberta and BC in the summers with the tent trailer. Once the children left home, she and Dave enjoyed ocean and river cruises, and visiting many parts of Europe and the Americas.

When they purchased a new home in Calgary in 2009, Ellen decided to completely redecorate as she had taken a keen interest in home renovation and decorating projects. Ellen continued to love cooking, entertaining, and gardening, and for many years baked cookies for the children at church. The church coffee ministry was her passion, she loved to greet newcomers and existing members as they came for coffee and her homemade cookies.

Sadly in 2015 Ellen was diagnosed with dementia. The disease progressed until 2023 when she was admitted to a long term care home, where she finally passed away in 2024.

Ellen had a full life and loved to recount her experiences in Africa, England and Canada. She will be missed by her family, especially her husband Dave, daughters Sarah, Victoria, and Jessica, as well as her family in England.

Rest in peace, you are in our thoughts and dreams as we live life without you, but will meet again one day.

Cremation was entrusted to Foster’s Garden Chapel.