Elba Marie (James) Mello

On December 3, 2021, we lost one of the most caring human beings to the respiratory illness of COPD. Elba passed away comfortably at Langley Memorial Hospital with her husband and daughter at her bedside.

Born in Huntsville Ontario, February 26, 1931 to Bertie “Jesse” and Mary James (Shay). Elba was the middle of three children, and is predeceased by her brother Crosby “Bing” James and Sister Muriel Yaskovitch.

Elba was a quiet and resourceful person. Growing up in a homesteading family, whose bloodlines settled the Muskoka’s, she excelled in essential life skills such as gardening, preserves and textiles like knitting, crocheting & sewing. She applied these skills through her lifetime, always sharing her bounty with others. I hold the fondest memories of a new outfit for school every September and many summers harvesting fresh vegetables from the back yard garden. Most of everything eaten before Mom could get them to the kitchen.

Elba graduated as a Registered Nurse from Toronto Western Hospital School of Nursing in 1952 and began a lifelong career in bedside nursing. She enjoyed her career for over 35 years taking a short respite to be a dedicated mother to their only daughter. She returned to nursing and served for more than 20 years at Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital. It was in the early 1990s when computers were introduced and she decided this was a good time to join her husband in early retirement.

After graduating from nursing school, Elba enjoyed travelling by car around North America with her girlfriends. Bold and adventurous for women in the mid 1950’s. It was one faithful trip around 1958 to Victoria, BC for a friend’s wedding where she met a debonaire gentleman from Bermuda, David Mello.

Dave could really dance and that evening he proceeded to sweep her off her feet, unknowingly winning her heart forever. They continued to dance for over 60 years, creating a joyful, modest life doting on their only child and grandchildren. They made beautiful memories always laughing, travelling and sharing the deepest of love with each other, their treasured family and many friends.

In 1992 Elba and Dave moved to Kelowna BC for retirement. They decided this was a good spot to set off on their many road trips, exploring more of North America as well returning to her hometown of Huntsville many times. When not travelling Elba could be found in the basement making her delicious wine from the various fresh fruits grown in the Okanogan.

While the wine was fermenting, she would be golfing with David. Elba was known to finish a game with her golf bag full of fallen apples from Michael Brook Orchard Golf Course, to make wine obviously. Whittling away any empty moments of retirement Elba returned to her craft of knitting. She spent thousands of hours knitting children’s clothing, baby sweaters, bonnets, and booties along with many other adorable children’s toys. She took great pleasure gifting these items to her friends and neighbours and would donate any left over at the end of the year to the Salvation Army.

As the Kelowna Winters were getting colder and the snow harder to shovel, Elba and Dave made the move to Langley in 2012 to support their daughter and enjoy their final years spending quality time with their cherished granddaughters.

Elba had the warmest and most beautiful smile which reflected the grace of her caring nature. Never one to argue or utter a bad word about another, she always shared her compassion and wisdom closing any encounter with a faithful God bless you.

Elba is survived by her amazing husband, David Mello, their loving daughter and only child Karen Mello, cherished granddaughters, Valerie and Livia. Nephew R. Scott James and wife Wanda, niece Shelley Barlow and husband, John.

“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can, it will be enough!

God Bless”