Nora Frances Ellen Clutton

Nora Frances Ellen Clutton passed away peacefully under the glow of a full moon at the age of 93, during the early hours of October 26, 2026 in Burnaby, British Columbia.

Ellen was born February 16, 1933 in Montreal, Quebec.

She was dearly loved by her father Frederick William Bell, mother Ethel Frances Ashdown and older sister Mary Joyce Bell.

She was raised in part by her Uncle Edward (Teddy) Craig and his wife Amelia Jane (Lilian) Yates Craig.

Mary and Ellen were more than just siblings – they were life-long companions and lived in three different cities in two different countries together. Mary helped Ellen find her home on the shoulder of Mount Tzouhalem, in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island.

Ellen had an adventurous spirit which drew her to many experiences in many places.

In her childhood years, Ellen spent time both in the city of Montreal and the countryside around Shawbridge.

Later, Ellen lived in many places and did many different Jobs including New York State to teach elementary school students as a nun in training; Barbados to work for a luxury hotel as a bookkeeper; Nassau in the Bahamas to work for RBC as a banker; and Kingston, Jamaica to continue her career as a banker. When Ellen returned to work she was a wedding planner before returned to banking.

Ellen is survived by her two sons Allan Ralph (wife Sue-Ellen Pamela) Murray, David Andrew (wife Andrea Michelle) Clutton; nine grandchildren, Shannon Marie Murray, Peri, Paige Alexa Clutton (husband James Nicholas Northway), Ethan David Ross Clutton, Vintesha Caroline Brittany Bethel, Brian-Allan George Murray, Mark Anthony Dylan Murray, Raphael Sampson Murray, Autumn-Joy Sade Murray; and three great grandchildren Luke Jonathan Murray, Lex Jermaine Cartwright, and Sage Marie Cartwright.

Ellen met and married her ex-husband David Alexander Clutton while in Kingston, Jamaica. Later they returned to Toronto, Ontario, Canada where they rented an apartment near the Humber River and had “little David”.

David and Ellen “helped” Dave build the cottage and they shared many summer adventures there, with and without each other. Ellen was brave to be left alone with “little” David at a remote wilderness cottage with only a boat and no car.

Ellen later explored many different places with “little” David’s young family. These trips often saw time by the water including lakes, rivers, and the ocean.

Ellen also loved their dog Bella, almost as much as her own Yorkshire Terrier Teddy. Bella was very gentle with Ellen and often climbed up into Ellen’s bed for a cuddle.

Ellen was a longtime resident of Carlton Gardens in Burnaby and was very well looked after by the staff there. Ellen thought of them as friends and loved them dearly.

To view a gallery of pictures of Ellen’s life, click on the link below. To view them as a slideshow click on the screen icon top right.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/64585307@N04/albums/72177720322186794/

A memorial service for Ellen will take place at 12:30 pm, Monday, November 16, 2026 in the chapel at All Saints Anglican Church at 7405 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby, BC. All are welcome.

Donations in lieu of flowers would be appreciated to Osteoporosis Canada or the Canadian Cancer Society.

"My soul has wings and its freedom sings." Unknown