Obituary of Ellen Lavinia Ayer

It is with sadness that the family of Ellen Lavinia Ayer, announce her passing on October 29, 2024. Ellen was 101 years of age.

Born in Sackville, NB on May 21, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Marjorie (Bates) West.

Ellen grew up in Sackville and after graduating from Sackville High, she spent a year at Branksome Hall in Toronto. She then attended Mount Allison University from 1940-1944. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Biology. On July 13, 1944, Ellen married her high school sweetheart James "Jim" Ayer. Shortly after, Jim went overseas as a pilot in the RCAF, and Ellen lived in Ottawa working as a technician in the Dominion Laboratory of Hygiene. When Jim returned home from the war, they started their family and lived in various parts of Canada.

Ellen enjoyed curling and singing in the church choir and was an accomplished bridge player. When she was in her 80s, she and her son John were partners at the world's largest regional bridge tournament in Gatlinburg, Tenn. where they did very well.

Ellen and Jim enjoyed their retirement years travelling, sailing and having family come to visit at their cottage in Shediac.

Ellen will be sadly missed by her four sons, Frank of Calgary, AB, John (Lee) of Dartmouth, NS, George (Birte) of Peterborough, ON, and Douglas (Marlene) of Lacombe, AB; her daughter, Janet Gillies of Lacombe, AB; her brother-in-law, Karl Ayer (Sharon) of Pointe-de-Chene, NB; her four grandsons, Jim, Joel, Lance and Tyler; her great-granddaughter, Emily Ayer, as well as by her nieces and nephew. Ellen's children wish to acknowledge her good friend Jen Huntsman who showed her many years of kindness.

Ellen was predeceased by her husband, Jim in 2010; her sister, Phyllis Sutherland; her grandson, Matthew Ayer; her sister-in-law, Catherine McKay, as well as by her son-in-law, Norman Gillies.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Erin Campbell and staff of Campbell's Funeral Home in Sackville, NB. Cremation has taken place, and a graveside service will take place in the summer of 2025 at the Sackville Cemetery.

If so desired, donations in memory of Ellen may be made to Mount Allison University or to the charity of one’s choice.

On-line condolences and sharing of memories may be forwarded to the family through our website www.campbellsfuneralhome.com or by visiting the funeral home Facebook page.