WAUGH, Ellen

August 20, 1927 — March 23, 2023

Surrounded by the love of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and countless friends, Ellen Waugh passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the age of 95.

As we think of what we want to tell the world about Mom, four things come to mind — strength; resilience; hard work; and deep-in-the-belly laughter.  Mom characterized her life as being difficult at times – which is an understatement based on the numerous challenges she faced – and also filled with joy and fun. She was extremely proud of her eight children, 18 grandchildren, and growing number of great-grandchildren, and ever-so-grateful for the good friends and relatives who supported her throughout her life.

Ellen met and married Robert Waugh in 1948. After a brief stint living in Edmonton, Dad got a job as a mechanic on the oil rigs, and they began moving with a drilling rig through Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba – living in a 2-bedroom rig shack with two little boys (then two little boys and two little girls) until they settled in Lampman, Saskatchewan where four more children were born. Together they ran Waugh Enterprises Ltd. – an oilfield maintenance company that also through the years sold Ski-Doo snow machines, dug basements and waterlines, hauled gravel, sold gasoline, and did anything else that might help feed their family. Mom was the original “hybrid worker” – somehow managing to dispatch trucks, do the books, pump fuel, answer phones, and run the business while also cooking school lunches, sewing clothes, gardening, doing laundry, singing in the community choir, and coffeeing with important girlfriends.  At 60, she went back to school and completed her caregiving certificate and thoroughly enjoyed her career supporting others. In retirement, she took many wonderful trips, played a lot of cards, made a lot of pierogies, told a lot of jokes, made a lot of quilts, entertained many people, and laughed a lot. She was – truly – amazing!

In 2012, Mom moved to Kelowna, B.C. where her much-loved sister Kay Boyko and daughter MaryJane Drouin and numerous grandchildren lived – a decision she says was one of the best of her life. She spent this last decade telling jokes, playing cards, hosting meals, and feeling satisfied with her life. Her parting words were: “Forgive past hurts and look to a better future. It is not healthy to hold old grudges; we grow up and change.”

Ellen was predeceased by her husband Bob in 2006, and her son Doug in 2012. She is survived by her children Gord (Joanne), Dianne, MaryJane, Rick (Sonja), Charlene (Gary), Roberta (Scott), and Janine (Kirby); 18 grandchildren (Jason, Lori, Byron, Rylan, Jenna, Danielle, Cailan, Kirsten, MacKenzie, Samantha, Adam, Kendra, Cameron, Logan, Evan, Hailee, Jordana, Vanessa); and numerous great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Ellen’s life will take place on Tuesday, March 28 at 2:00 p.m. in the social room of her Kelowna condominium at 2110 Hoy Street, Kelowna, BC. In-person or virtual attendance is welcome: https://teams.live.com/meet/9347167561662

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

Service Details

The service for WAUGH, Ellen is scheduled for TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2023 at 2:00 PM (PST). Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

2110 Hoy Street, Kelowna, BC

Phone:

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Special Requests:

None.

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Funeral Pointers: