MacLELLAN, Theresa – Age 93, Riverside, Inverness Co., passed away peacefully on Monday, August 31, 2020, in the Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home. Born in Riverside, Inverness Co., she was a daughter of the late Ronald "Big Ranald" and Mary Ann (MacDonald) MacLellan. From a very young age, Theresa showed a keen interest in the violin, beginning to play at the young age of 8. Her brother Donald also an accomplished violin player coached Theresa along and soon after at the age of 9 she played at her first public performance at a picnic in West Bay Road. Musical talent was indeed heavily intwined in the family, for her father was an accomplished violin player and her mother was an accomplished piano player as well as all her siblings either it be piano, violin or singing. Theresa, her brother Donald and her sister Marie would later become known as "The MacLellan Trio" playing at countless square dances, concerts and even the odd kitchen party over the years throughout Inverness County and Cape Breton. They had a style about them that could not be surpassed! In the early years one can recall listening to Theresa play over the radio during the "Concert Under the Stars". She also played for the Montreal Olympics, CBC’s "Ceilidh" and she played for her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll. In more recent years, Theresa played at the Creamery Ceilidhs, St. Ann’s Fiddle Festival and at Celtic Colours. For over 52 years, Theresa was the opening act for the Broad Cove Concert. She often said that her brother Joe had the potential to be the greatest violin player. Theresa and her sister Marie released a number of albums over the years. Her music in every sense was powerful, ornamented and rich. Captain Carswell was noted as being her by far favourite tune. She was a female violinist who helped pave the way for future female players and was commonly referred to as "The First Lady of Cape Breton Fiddle Music". She was quoted saying "The men are strong players, you’ve gotta get in there with them, follow them and drive’er with them! I was the only woman playing with those men for a long time. If you have quality, there’s no disadvantage to being a woman!". A legend in her own rite, she has definitely left her mark in many ways in the Celtic Music scene of Cape Breton and beyond and generations to come will always enjoy her profound and unique style of playing. She created a sound that only she could do! She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by brothers, Joseph, Donald Francis, John A. and Rory in infancy; sister, Marie. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, September 11 in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Margaret of Scotland Parish Cemetery, West Bay Road with Father Duncan MacIsaac officiating. Friends and neighbours alike will all be asked to attend and if you have a musical instrument, take it along and Theresa will be given a tribute fit for the "First Lady of Fiddle Music". Words of comfort may be forwarded at www.haverstocks.com Visitation Information Visitation Friday, September 11, 2020 Visitation Time 2-4 p.m. Visitation Location Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 724 Granville St., Port Hawkesbury Service Information Service Date Saturday, September 12, 2020 Service Time 10 a.m. Service Location St. Margaret of Scotland Parish Cemetery, West Bay Road Burial Information Burial Date Saturday, September 12, 2020 Burial Location St. Margaret of Scotland Parish Cemetery, West Bay Road