Ellen Mccafferty

Ellen moved from Watson to Vancouver at age 16. She and her husband Joe built a home together in North Burnaby where they raised three active boys. She spent her final years at the Maple Hill unit of Langley Memorial Hospital.

Ellen used her active, curious mind to explore the world around her. An avid reader, she taught herself as much as she could about a number of religions and held many spirited conversations about current events and world affairs. Ellen loved to learn, so when she was finished with the responsibilities of raising her sons, she became a student at Simon Fraser University. She was active in provincial and federal politics with the CCF and NDP, and developed working relationships with party leaders as a tireless campaign helper.

Ellen was a progressive and left leaning thinker who was an advocate of the Peace Movement in Vancouver from its inception. She attended many peace walks. She always treated everyone with respect and kindness. You could not meet a more caring and giving person. Though she was a child of the depression era who understood the value of a dollar and the importance of saving, she annually donated generous contributions to a political party and to charitable organizations.

At home, Ellen was an avid gardener and, as well as producing wonderful bouquets of flowers and a bounty of vegetables, she became the maven of tomatoes in the neighbourhood. In her later years she enjoyed walks in the sun around the local neighbourhood and Willingdon Park. She was a loving grandmother who actively participated in the development of her grandchildren in their early years.

Ellen was predeceased by her husband Joseph Patrick McCafferty. She will be greatly missed by her brother Ted Smart. She also leaves behind her three sons, Thomas, Chuck (Terri), Dan (Debbie), her grandchildren Scott (Julie), Katelin (Rylan), Kurt, and Luke, and great-grandchildren, Oliver, Greyer, Senna, and Harrison.

At her request, there is no service and in lieu of flowers, a donation to a charity of your choice would be thoughtful.