Nellie Till passed away very peacefully, in her home of 62 years on November 2, with her children, Lesley and Paul, at her side.

Nellie was born in London England in 1925, the 7th of 12 children of John and Elizabeth Dumbelton. Though the times were difficult they were a close knit and loving family. Nellie is predeceased by all of her brothers and sisters.

Leaving school at 14 Nellie worked as a tailor making suits for Saville row and, during the war, uniforms. In the blackout in wartime London she ran into Alf Till, who had been at the same school as her. (Nellie said, “I’d see him pumping up the soccer balls”.) Alf was called up to the Royal Air Force in 1943 and they corresponded throughout his service. They were married in November of 1945.

Paul and Lesley were born and they emigrated to Canada in 1957, with Nellie describing it as “The best move we ever made.”

Nellie was much loved and will be missed by Lesley and Paul and their spouses, Mike and Claudia. She was the very special Nanny to her three grandchildren, Kaitlin Till-Landry, Megan Till-Landry (James Aikenhead) and Alice Till (Armand Bouillet). She leaves many nephews and nieces in England, and Australia.

Both Nellie and Alf enjoyed good health throughout most of their lives, playing tennis into their 80’s. Alf passed away in 2022, and Mum’s health was declining. She was able to stay in the home she loved because of the loving and wonderful care of Elizabeth Cyr, and a team of dedicated, kind and loving P.S.W.’s including Charmaine, Via, Abby, Anne, Chris and Faith We are forever in their debt. We are very grateful as well to the Edwin Leong Geriatric Supportive Care outreach program-they are a paragon of kindness, comfort and professionalism.

Nellie was a very appreciate and grateful person, and in her last years would often say “I’m a lucky duck.” And we were lucky ducks to have had her