Ella Vida Carmichael

Peacefully and surrounded by the love of her family near and far, Ella Carmichael passed away on October 17, 2023, at home. Just two months shy of her 100th Birthday, Ella lived a life full of family, friends and adventure. She was predeceased by her loving husband Alan; sisters Doreen McGregor, Marion McGregor, Margaret McGavin, and her youngest daughter Mari Lafreniere (Guy). Ella is lovingly remembered and celebrated by; her daughters Janet Sampson (Mike) and Alison Loch (David); her seven grandchildren Andrea Sampson, Alan Loch (Robyn), Matt Lafreniere, Laurel Harrison (Jeremy), Ian Loch (Teresa), Micheal Lafreniere, Graeme Loch (Carmen); and her 12 great-grandchildren Anika, Isobel, Isla, Maeve, Meghan, Olivia, Evan, Quinn, Vivian, Henry, Mabel, Roy and great niece Ali; nieces Moira Vickers (Todd), Lynn Cooper (Ken). Ella will also be remembered and missed by her extended Victoria Beach family, the Boyds and the Hornes.

Born December 27, 1923, Ella was the youngest of four sisters. When she was six months old, her father built the cottage at Victoria Beach. Sunset Blvd would go on to be the place of many memories made for Ella, Alan and their family. Ella spent every summer at VB until her late 90s, surrounded by four generations of family, friends and her gardens.

Ella was always a Fort Rouge girl, growing up on Beresford Ave. and later raising her own family on Montague. She attended Lord Roberts Elementary and Kelvin High School. Ella was an exceptional swimmer; she spent summers at Lake Winnipeg and winters swimming at the Sherbrook pool. Ella continued swimming for several decades into her 80s. While unable to swim at the Olympics due to the Second World War, she won many provincial and national championships and competed in the World Masters in Montreal in 1994, winning several medals.

She married Alan Carmichael on June 4, 1945, and they shared a wonderful life raising their three daughters. In 1980, they embraced an exciting opportunity and, in their early 50s, made a momentous decision to leave Winnipeg to move to Denver, Colorado with Great-West Life Assurance Company. Ella and Alan embraced their new adventure, making new friends, joining a competitive swim club, and even learning to ski when the kids and grandkids came to visit. They lived in Colorado until 1999, when they returned to Winnipeg to be closer to family. Ella was an early resident of the Canoe Club when it opened, living just across the river from where she grew up. As with everything Ella did, she dove head first into the social life at the Canoe Club, trying Wii bowling, playing bridge, and watching her beloved Jets play with her friends in the lounge.

Nanny, or “The Nan” (as her great-grandchildren named her), lived a full and beautiful life with no regrets. She travelled the world, was cherished by a huge community of loving family and friends, and was able to spend her summers at her favourite place - Victoria Beach.

Service will be held on October 29, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Thomson "In the Park" Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard, with a reception to follow.

The family would like to give a special thanks to her caregivers from Realcare, who allowed her to stay in her home until the end. Thank you also to the staff at the Canoe Club for their kindness and care over the past 14 years.

In honour of Ella’s lifelong love of dogs and Lake Winnipeg, please consider donating to the Winnipeg Humane Society, the Lake Winnipeg Foundation, or a charity of your choice in her memory.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thomsoninthepark.com for the Carmichael family.