Nellie Gilbert Ellert

November 27, 1927 - December 28, 2012

Nellie Mae Gilbert grew up in Hodgeville, SK during the depression as the 9th of 12 kids. In 1944, she moved to Assiniboia and worked in the parts department of South Central Motors. She became known around town as “Massey Nellie” and was highly respected amongst the farmers for how good she was at her job.

She was an incredible athlete – excelling at baseball, softball, curling, bowling and golf.

So good at ball, she was offered a position playing for the Women’s professional baseball team in Chicago similar to the movie “A League of their Own”. She chose not to go because she had fallen in love with Alexander William Ellert whom she married on July 29th, 1950. Together they established the family farm in Valor, 7 miles west of Assiniboia. It was full of grain, farm animals and hard work.

Dad never left the house without a kiss and after 54 years of marriage they were still very much in love. Bodies failing in their 70’s she would still climb up on his lap for a little nuzzle. There was never a doubt that mom and dad had a deep rooted love and respect for one another.

Mom was very intelligent with a passion for math, english, history and drama. She had a gift for writing and poetry. Throughout her life she won a few poetry and writing contests. She highly valued education and held a joy of learning for the sake of learning. Rarely could she be beat at Trivia games.

There is no arguing that mom was incredibly competitive and a huge sports fan – whether she was in the game or cheering it on. You often would hear her calling out an “Atta Boy!” at the tv screen. Tiger Woods was her favorite. Along with her 12 golf buddies she created the “Golden Girls Classic” – an annual tournament where participants vied for the honour of their name on the much coveted Golden Girls Cup. They even attended a few local tournaments in the area as part of the Golden Girl Olympics!

She loved game play - crossword puzzles and brain teasers – you would often find her in her chair working away at a puzzle and on Saturday mornings when family came to visit they would tackle the Leader Post challenges. She loved to use her mind in ways that excited her. She loved to learn.

We all loved mom’s cooking – her version of cabbage rolls, turkey soup, shortbread cookies, and beef stew with her special brand of dumplings. When it came to time to prep the turkey, mom would first name it, then dance a waltz with it around the kitchen before sending to the oven. She was adept at gardening and managed to create beautiful yards at the homes she held at the farm and in town. She loved her coffee. If she wasn’t drinking her own she was drinking everyone else’s.

What we remember most about Nellie is that she was fun. And when you were with mom she was with you 100% - you had her full attention. She made it a good time, all the time. A walk was never just a walk – it was an opportunity to race stones. You never baked together – you pretended you were doing a baking show. You made shapes from the twinkling stars of the stippled ceiling.

Her sense of fun led to co-founding the ladies’ comedy group “The Entertainers”, best known for their impression of the RCMP Musical Ride and the “Toilet Skit”. Many nights the group spent in our basement composing songs and writing scripts – laughing, laughing, laughing. Mom loved to laugh and subsequently we all laughed. She sought out the humour in life, the little gifts of joy and her eyes would twinkle.

Mom had such a beautiful voice. She gave this gift to her family. When she sang alto it sounded like the harmony created between the voices was coming from her alone – it was warm, inviting and smooth, rising from deep inside her. She was naturally gifted at music – she could hear it and know it. Our home was always full of song. Whether you knew the words or not, you sang along to music.

She often held the stage and at times shared it with her daughters or the Community Choir. Prior to moving to Regina, mom was a part of our church choir for over 50 years.

She had 7 children. From those 7 children she had 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Family meant everything. She believed that family supports one another, serves one another, protects one another. And as a family, we loved to be with our parents. Although, as much as mom loved us, we don’t know where we stood when pitted against ice cream.

Our parents taught us that there is more than enough for everyone in time, money, food, compassion and never a word was spoken in this regard. We were never sat down for a lesson in humility or giving – they used their life as teacher.

Nellie moved to Regina in 2005 to live with her daughter and then in fall of 2008 to Country Lane Care Home in Pilot Butte.

When mom said hello, she said it with her whole body – like that person was the best part of her day. She radiated light and joy. Mom has always been spirited and joyful, intelligent, and elegant and her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis 12 years ago did not change who she was. She continued to sing, she continued to tease and flirt and play and make knew friends and she remained so radiantly beautiful. She was loved by all who had the great opportunity to meet her. Every day, no matter the circumstance, mom could find a smile.

Nellie went to meet her Alex on December 28th, 2012 at 5:20 pm surrounded by her family whom she adored. She was predeceased by her husband Alex in 2004, her parents Joseph and Hazel Gilbert, her 11 siblings, her granddaughter Julia Engstrom, grandson Dawson Ellert, and many in-laws. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by her children: Nancy Agassiz of Vernon B.C., her daughters Carling (Cam) & Siona (Jeff) Holomis; Robert (Clara) Ellert of Assiniboia, sons Ryan & Michael; Leslie (Vic) Engstrom of Assiniboia, their son Clinton (Pam, children Jordan & Samantha), Julia's son Zach Shenher, their daughter Melanie (Dan) Robinson (children Emily & Rhett); Kathleen (Don) Gardiner of Lemberg, their daughter Meghan (Mitch) Hoehn, and son Mason, Michael (Carla) Ellert of White City, their son Alex; Patricia (Kim) Tendler of Regina, their children Kailyn, Ashlyn & Alex; Sandra (Ryan) Ellert Day of Regina, as well as numerous family & friends.

Prayer Service/Visitation/Family Tributes were held at Ross Funeral Chapel Tuesday January 1st, 2013 at 8:00 pm. Funeral Mass was celebrated Wednesday January 2nd, 2013 at 1:00 pm at St. George's Roman Catholic Church, Assiniboia SK. Father Joy Montiague celebrant. Interment to follow at a later date. Donations in Nellie's memory can be made to Saskatchewan Children's Hospital Foundation, Suite 1 - 345 3rd Ave. S, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1M6. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, Sask. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.rossfuneralservice.com