Ellen Donahue-Ingraham

Born: June 24th, 1951

Passed on: June 24th, 2013

On June 24, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer, Ellen Clare Donahue-Ingraham, aged 62, died peacefully at home in her “nest” in Bedford, Nova Scotia with her family by her side. Ellen was born June 24, 1951, in Montreal, Quebec, the daughter of Reverend Lee Donahue and Miriam Dean. She graduated from Saint Helen’s School in Dunham, Quebec in 1971. She married her loving and hard working husband, Ross Ingraham on December 5, 1986 and they resided in Ingonish, Nova Scotia for many years. Known by many as Mrs. I, Ellen worked in various domains within the communities ‘North of Smokey’ on Cape Breton Island. She will be remembered most for her accomplishments as an educator and artist within the elementary school system. A woman of exceptional virtue, generosity and creativity, Mrs. I was a soul mate, mother, grandmother, mentor, confidante and friend to myriad people, young and old, broad and wide. Her intuition and elegance are hard to articulate but her influence on those she cared for remains her legacy. Ellen was an extremely proud mother and grandmother whose passion for the care and spoiling of her ‘beasties’ was immeasurable. Uniquely gifted, her artistic hand and eye for perfection led to many fantastic events and creations. An avid gardener and exceptional cook, her green thumb and love of nature have transcended many families due to her contagious love of plants and food. Ellen is survived by her husband, Ross Ingraham, Ingonish, N.S. and her loving siblings, Russell Donahue (Marlene) Calgary, AB; Barbara Donahue, Victoria, B.C.; Nancy Harmon (John), Queenstown, N.B. and Stephen Donahue (Leta), Montreal West, Qc. She is also survived by her five children, Casey Lillington, Halifax, N.S.; Christian Lillington (Marie-Chantal), Ottawa, ON; Corey Lillington (Tiffany), Toronto, ON; Karla Williams (Trevor), Halifax, N.S.; and Shannon Ingraham-Christie (Matthew), Bedford, N.S. Ellen (known famously as Nana) will forever be remembered by her beautiful grandchildren, Tessa and Jonah Williams, Halifax, N.S. and Emilie, Mathis, Noemie and Alexia Lillington, Ottawa, ON. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. A private ceremony will be held at a later time.