ELLEN MARY PACKER (DEAYTON)

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ELLEN MARY PACKER In West Vancouver, BC on January 6, 2007, Ellen Mary Packer (née Deayton), of Winnipeg, passed away just four weeks short of her 89th birthday. Ellen was predeceased by her loving husband of 54 years, William Clifford (Cliff) Packer, in 2000. Ellen leaves to mourn her five children, Clifford (Elaine) Packer of Winnipeg, Nanette (Alan) Bennett of Vancouver, Subah Packer of Indianapolis, Roshni (Michael) Dutton of Toronto and John (Corinne) Packer of Ottawa. She also leaves her brother, John (Joy) Deayton of Melbourne, Australia, to mourn her passing. Ellen was blessed with 12 grand-children, Mary Ellen, Mark, Matthew, Michael and Maurice Packer (Clifford and Elaine); Tamara and Corinne Bennett (Nanette and Alan); Drew and Kiran Dutton (Roshni and Michael); and Sébastien, Nicholas and Geneviève Packer (John and Corinne). Ellen was born and raised in Winnipeg, graduating from Gordon Bell High School. In 1935, Ellen moved with her family to Melbourne, Australia where she lived for 10 years. She studied accounting at business school and subsequently worked in Melbourne. Following the outbreak of the Second World War in the Pacific rim, Ellen served in the Headquarters established by US General MacArthur in Brisbane before she enlisted with the British Army, joining the Women's Auxiliary Service (Burma) under Lord Mountbatten. Ellen met Cliff, then a Captain in the Indian Army, in Shillong, Assam, marrying soon after on April 5, 1946 in Rangoon. They returned to live in Shillong before coming to Canada in 1949 to make a new life together. Ellen and Cliff subsequently made their home in Winnipeg where they raised five children. Ellen was an accomplished music teacher who taught many students privately in both voice and piano, supporting them in the Manitoba Music Festival and through Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto) examinations. She organized many music recitals, including those for the elderly in various seniors' homes throughout Winnipeg. Ellen was a longtime member of several choirs including the St. James' and St. George's church choirs and the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir, and was active in the Women's Auxiliary of the Men's Music Club of Winnipeg. She especially loved choral music and vocal ensembles. Ellen was also employed as an elementary school music teacher in the St. James School Division for a number of years. In addition, Ellen was a bookkeeper for several Winnipeg entities including the original Grace Hospital of Winnipeg, National Typewriter and the Deere Lodge Automotive Centre. Ellen and Cliff always enjoyed entertaining in their home where there were numerous children, grandchildren and cats to be found. A private memorial service will be held in due course in Winnipeg for family members and close friends. In lieu of flowers, donations on behalf of Ellen may be made to the Winnipeg Music Competition Festival Inc., #2 - 88 St. Anne's Rd., Winnipeg, MB (phone 204-947-0184).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 13, 2007