MacPHAIL, Helen "Ella" Mae of Big Marsh, Inverness Co. Passed away peacefully at the age of 95 in her home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, September 24, 2017. She was the daughter of the late Duncan and Katie Ann (Ferguson) Morrison. She was born in the family home in Big Meadow on September 13, 1922, and was the eldest and last surviving member of her immediate family. Ella was truly the matriarch and foundation of our family. She brought to life the nurturing qualities that we were so blessed to have in a Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Sister, and friend. Ella was known for her soft spoken, gentle manner and her quiet strength. Her baking, especially her bread and biscuits, were in high demand by all who knew her. Her grandchildren fondly remember toast from the wood stove at the "old house." Right up to her final days, Ella had an amazing recall of facts and history. She shared many stories of past events, the history of the River Denys area, and local families. She gracefully overcame many struggles in her life and always maintained her positive outlook and contagious sense of humour. Ella is survived by her children, Mary Louise (Frank) Miller, Virginia Pearl (Alexander) MacLennan, daughter-in-law, Millie Fraser, Raymond, Peter (Phyllis), Morris (Brenda), Hazel (Maurice) Foster, Harold (Betty), and Helen (Philip) Leonard. She will be dearly missed by her 24 loving grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Lewis Archibald MacPhail; sons ,Warren Archibald, Cornelius Duncan, Duncan Alexander, and Harold Wilbert; sisters, Mary Morrison, Catherine (Allan) Cameron, Marguerite (John) Cameron, Alexis (Ernest) MacLennan, and brother, Cornelius Morrison. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 29 from 2-8 p.m. in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Whycocomagh. Funeral service will take place on Saturday, September 30 at 2 p.m. from River Denys Presbyterian Church with Rev. Andrew MacDonald, Rev. Wayne MacLeod and Dr. Kelly MacPhail officiating. Burial to take place in Upper River Denys Cemetery. Family flowers only, please. Our family would like to thank Ella’s caregivers, Mary, Sarah, Phyllis, Lindsay, Dorothy, and Teanie. Special thanks and gratitude to Laurie Ann, Johnena, Dr. Ritter, Dr. LaFrance, and the staff of Inverness Hospital. We thank the Continuing Care nurses for their exceptional care. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Ella to Inverness County Palliative Care or Upper River Denys Cemetery. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com Visitation Information Visitation Friday, September 29, 2017 Visitation Time 2-8 p.m. Visitation Location Dennis Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Whycocomagh Service Information Service Date Saturday, September 30, 2017 Service Time 2 p.m. Service Location River Denys Presbyterian Church, River Denys Burial Information Burial Date Saturday, September 30, 2017 Burial Time Following the service Burial Location Upper River Denys Cemetery.