Isabella FINLAY

Mrs. Isabella "Ella" Miller (née Finlay) July 01, 1926 - February 05, 2005 Funeral arrangements by Sands Funeral Chapel (Nanaimo) Miller, Isabella (Ella) McLellan (nee Finlay) born in July 1, 1926 in Auchterarder, Scotland; died February 5, 2005 in Nanaimo, BC. She and the love of her life, Robert (Bob), met as teenagers in Glasgow during the War; they married in 1947 and a short time later emigrated to Canada. There, the city girl found herself homesteading – clearing land, building a log cabin, toting water from the nearby stream into the house, becoming a “Woodswoman” – in Sicamous, BC and developing friendships that continue to this day. The inseparable pair and their family moved about the country many times in the ensuing years, always returning to her beloved BC. Ella worked at many jobs over the years and was a bookkeeper, coffee shop owner and the first employee (receptionist) when Fraser Valley College was established in Chilliwack; however she always considered her most important job to be the raising of her three children, Jim (Erika O’ Sullivan), Jacki (Barry Morton) and Janet, in whom she instilled the values of honour, honesty, compassion and respect for others. After her beloved Bob died in 1977 and her later retirement from Fraser Valley College, she eventually took up residence in Ladner. She was always available as a loving guide to her children and grandchildren, Ian Miller, Jason (Alice) Miller, Nadine (Matt) Kinshela and Shaun Trueman (Mindy Ambrose). Although she had been in poor health for many years, she rarely complained. She has a variety of interest, including watching the BC Lions and her favourite, Damon Allen. In October 2004 she moved with her daughter Janet to Nanaimo and enjoyed her last months looking at the ocean and watching the deer graze outside her bedroom window. Ella is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-granchildren (Michelle, Aaron, Alexis, Steven, Carson, Justin, Brendan, Nathan and Logan) and numerous friends and relatives in Canada and Scotland. Finally re-united with her soul-mate, we know she is watching over us all. No service by request. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Diabetic Association would be appreciated. Condolences may be offered at www.sands-funeral.com Sands-Nanaimo