July 22, 1940 – October 11, 2025
We, the family of Mary “Adelaide” MacLellan, are sad to announce her passing in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the age of 85.
Adelaide was born in Inverness, on July 22, 1940, and was a daughter of the late Jean (Burney) and Alex Quigley.
Adelaide married Gussie MacLellan on September 7, 1959. Together they raised their two children, Donnie and Laurie in her family home on Forest Street in Inverness. Throughout their life together, their house was often the hub of many busy days and nights, get togethers and visits where all were always welcomed and offered a cup of tea, food and a warm bed.
Throughout her working life, Adelaide held many positions in the community of Inverness. She spent time in the lab at the old St. Mary’s Hospital, as a phone operator, worked at the counter at Sears, made flower arrangements at the Inverness Flower Shop, and her last working role was bookkeeper for Gussie’s business, “Gussie’s Burner Service.”
In her free time, Adelaide and Gussie were active members of the bowling league in town, she enjoyed playing bingo, a good game of cards and always enjoyed special meals at her Godson’s restaurant The Belle View. She loved her special days out with her “knitting club” friends where we are told she spent much of that time amusing them with many of her funny stories. She was fiercely proud of her family and for the Inverness Centennial, gave a presentation about her Belgium heritage with her sister Joanne and bother Allan. She gave of her time over many years volunteering with Kinettes and at many church events and community happenings. Last year in 2024, she was so proud and humbled to have been asked along with her husband to be honorary marshals for the Inverness Gathering Parade.
Mary Adelaide MacLellan
She is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Gussie; daughter, Laurie (Charles Smith); grandchildren, Taylor and Devin, Bradley (Krista), Brianna (Justin); honorary granddaughters, Dara and Trista; great-grandchildren, Audrey and Carson; sister, Joanne (Wayne Smith); sister-in-law, Claire Quigley; many nieces, nephews, godchildren, relatives and friends.
She was predeceased by her son, Donnie; parents, Jean and Alex Quigley; sisters, Anna in infancy, Doris (Bas) Purcell, Aileen (Charlie) LeBlanc, Celeste O’Quinn; and brother, Allan Quigley.
The family would like to say thank you to the wonderful medical staff at the Inverness hospital ER and the doctors and nurses of the ER and ICU at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital as well as the Spiritual staff for their efforts, caring and kindness in her final days. In particular, we would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Susie Egar who was her family physician for many years and has always cared for her with much care, love and support.
Visitation and funeral to take place in July 2026 with exact dates to be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of Adelaide may be made to Stella Maris Parish Cemetery Fund, Inverness.
Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com
