Ellen Miriam De Mille

Ellen Miriam DeMille, age 91, of Abbotsford, British Columbia passed away on Friday, November 10, 2023. Ellen Jespersen De Mille was born on January 30, 1932 in Seattle, Washington. She spent her senior high school years in Jamaica where her sister was a missionary, Bible school at Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alberta, and Seattle Pacific College where she graduated with a degree in music education. It was at Seattle Pacific College where Ellen met Clarke De Mille, the son of free Methodist missionaries from southern Africa. After a few dates, Clarke left for southern Africa. Clarke and Ellen corresponded for a year and a half leading to a marriage proposal, resulting in Ellen’s journeying by ship to Durban, South Africa and their subsequent marriage in Germiston, South Africa on December 13, 1958. Lundi Mission in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe was their home for 20 years where they ministered as educators. Ellen was loved and appreciated by her students, fellow missionaries, and the Lundi Mission community. Their family grew to include three daughters, Joy, Elizabeth, and Margaret. Upon retirement in Abbotsford, BC, Ellen continued in the music ministry of their home church, Holy Cross, up until close to a month before her death. Ellen is lovingly survived by her husband, Clarke, her daughters, Joy, Beth, and Margi, and her two grandsons, Martin and William.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnfh-abbotsford.com for the De Mille family.