Ellie, affectionately known to family as the Queen Mum, Nan and Nana, passed away March 1, 2022, at home surrounded by family. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was loving, strong, joyful, and unembarrassingly bawdy. She was funny, with the loudest, most unbridled laugh, allowing you to find her anyplace.
Born September 26, 1933, in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Canada, to Catherine Isabelle McLean Cameron and Clair Hugh Cameron. Ellie has always been a proud Canadian. She sported a Canadian flag and maple leaf pins with almost every outfit. Ellie lived in Kirkland Lake, Ontario where she met and married Daniel “Ross” MacDonald while he was stationed at Ramore, Ontario, Canada, along the Pinetree Line, during service in the United States Air Force.
Ross and Ellie were married for 52 years and together they raised six children. They were stationed back and forth between American and Canadian air force bases, settling after retirement first in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan then moved to Oscoda, Michigan, where they retired from the Civil Service and were active in the community for 20+ years. During the initial year in Oscoda, Ross and Ellie received the first annual Dedicated Parent Award for making sure their son, Todd, continued to play league hockey by driving him, for an entire season, back to Sault Ste. Marie. They were active members at the Oscoda Yacht Club and Oscoda Senior Center where she played euchre (cards) and the kazoo and swinette in the Kitchen Band. The band participated in concerts and parades for many years.
Throughout her life, she was a telephone operator, rising to Chief Operator with the Civil Service, an Air Force Taxi Driver and a Breaker Switcher for the base railroad. One of her favorite stories was of accidentally driving a fare across an active flight path for an oncoming plane.
She & Ross were great believers in equal rights. They both were active in the National Organization for Women (NOW). Ross was treasurer for the chapter and Ellie the Vice Chair. Wherever she was, and for as long as she was able, Ellie volunteered in the communities she called home. Ellie was also a member of the Red Hat Society, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. She loved fun and events – plays, concerts, festivals, and especially traveling. Family and friends were her favorite destinations. As often as possible, and for the last several years she traveled what family called her “Northern Tour” to Michigan and Canada.
Ellie moved to Shawnee with her husband, Ross, to be closer to their daughters and the casinos, which they really enjoyed. It was probably the casinos. Ross and Ellie dove right into participating in activities at Shawnee Senior Center and quickly made many friends. She was always authentically herself no matter what the situation called for. She made people feel at ease and included. Ellie kept up with friends that she made over her 88 years. Some since high school, her early working years, and many that were met through the 21-years that Ross spent in the Air Force then 20+ years of Civil Service.
Ross and Ellie had full faith in their children, their dreams and ability to be successful, loving and brilliant human beings – because don’t all parents believe in their kids that way? We were so blessed to have had the support and love of these two wonderful people who raised six children to be fairly well adjusted, creative, outspoken and funny. There are so many who will miss her physical presence but we know she is
There are so many who will miss her physical presence but we know she is with us in spirit. Her children: Kate Joyce and husband, Mike Joyce; Cameron MacDonald, David MacDonald, Todd MacDonald and wife, Genice MacDonald, Sandra Mihalo and husband, Mark Mihalo. Grandchildren: Lynsey Swindell and husband Dylan Swindell and great granddaughter, Emilia JoAnne; Amanda MacDonald, Clair Anderson, Cathi MacDonald, Emily MacDonald, Erin MacDonald, Colin MacDonald. Sister, Caulene Blair and husband Dave Blair. Nieces and nephews: Jackie Ring, Shawn Cameron and his partner, Shirley Mahan, Terry Cameron and his partner, Andrea Biasutti and Connie Watkinson along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, grands and great-grandchildren, and so many wonderful and loving friends. Greeting her as she entered heaven were her husband, Ross MacDonald,
Greeting her as she entered heaven were her husband, Ross MacDonald, daughter, Jo-Anne MacDonald, grand daughter, Nikkole Lea, parents Kate and Clair Cameron, brother Wilfred Cameron and his son, Clair Cameron and daughter Cindy Ringrose; sister Jessy Hamilton and many friends and family who left before her. A Celebration of Life will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home, Shawnee,
A Celebration of Life will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home, Shawnee, on April 23, 2022 at 1:00pm. We hope you will come bearing stories to share with other family and friends.
