Ellen Molyneaux

Ellen Molyneaux (Hall)

After a long courageous battle with cancer, Ellen peacefully departed this world at Miller Centre Palliative Care Unit on August 31, 2023 in her 84th year. Ellen was strong throughout this journey and surpassed all expectations given by doctors. Completing treatment in 2020, she was able to enjoy the last few years in Newfoundland with her daughter Christine, time they both cherished.

Ellen was born in Ottawa, Ontario to Emeline Robina Hall (nee Molyneaux) and John Derward Hall. Loving mother to Christine Emeline Goyette, predeceased by her son David Hall (birth name Daniel Thomas Molyneaux, adopted as infant by Norma and John F.W. Hall), and infant daughter Kathleen Patricia Goyette. Newly found Grandmother and Great Grandmother to Alyssa Sinclair-Hall (Willow, Isaiah, Zaiire), Tawna Hall (Sarleedah, Anthony, Aleena, Arsh) and Corrie Scollon (Ethan, Liam, Mason, Hunter). 

Ellen is also survived by her sisters Linda (Lyndi) Crawford (nee Hall), Sandra Devereaux (nee Hall – husband Dan), many nieces, nephews and their extended families.  Ellen is predeceased by her parents, her sister Margaret Van Engen (nee Hall – husband Kees) and her brothers John Hall (wife Linda), Thomas Hall (wife Verna), Richard Hall (wife Donna), and brother-in-law Keith Crawford.

As a single working mom in her twenties Ellen moved to Toronto to forge a life with her daughter Christine. Over the years she held many different types of jobs from waitressing, building electronics, head cook at a country club, furniture upholstery and refinishing, owner of a craft store and a restaurant, the list goes on. Ellen was fiercely independent and always willing to learn and try something new or live somewhere different.  In her 80’s she took art classes and began to draw and paint.  Her paintings are cherished possessions and reminders to her family of this amazing woman.

People have always been drawn to Ellen’s spunky personality and funny sense of humour. She picked up friends everywhere she went, many of them her daughter’s friends!  Nephews, nieces, Christine’s friends and their children all have stories about Auntie Ellen (PTSD from bum pinching)!

Ellen loved all her siblings dearly and her best friend was her sister Lyndi with whom she held a special bond. Ellen was very loyal and protective of the people she would let into her fold. She would go to battle for those she loved and stood tall for what was right.  She would give the shirt off her back.  Her momma bear instinct would come out especially strong with matters close to home with Christine. Ellen’s love of animals was well known, she always had a cat or dog throughout her life and also helped rescue a number of cats with her daughter. 

Ellen showed her love through action, through staying connected with her siblings, family members and friends, through the food she cooked, through her art/crafts, through vacuuming a floor, through talking to a neighbour who had lost his mom, through just listening, giving advice and being a shoulder for her daughter and family.

Later in Ellen’s life this independent woman moved in with her daughter Christine, though not always an easy road, the gift of their deepened love and appreciation for each other was well recognized by both of them. 

Ellen will be dearly missed by family and friends.  A BIG THANK YOU to the nurses, doctors, personal support workers and volunteers in Ontario and Newfoundland for their amazing support, cancer care and palliative care.  

A sunset cruise took place on Wednesday September 5, 2023 with Christine and close Newfoundland friends to celebrate Ellen’s life and scatter her ashes in the Atlantic Ocean per her wishes. 

A second Celebration of her life will take place Sunday September 24, 2023 at the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Home between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. with family and friends in Ottawa.  A light lunch will be served. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to: 

Feral Feline Cat Rescue https://feralfelinesrescue.com/ or 

Newfoundland Dog Rescue  https://rescuenl.com/ would be appreciated.