It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ellen Minerva McIntyre. Peacefully at the Northern Spirit Manor in Thompson, Mb in the early afternoon of April 10th, 2022, Ellen passed away. Ellen had just celebrated her 91st Birthday three weeks earlier.

Ellen was born in Punnichy, Saskatchewan to Geoffrey John Blackbeard and Oral Minerva (Day) Blackbeard. She was the oldest of three children. The family later moved to Port Colborne, Ontario where her dad owned a garage. Ellen met her husband Fred there when he moved from Quebec to work for Inco. Fred boarded at Ellen’s grandmother’s house. They married October 4th , 1952 and were married for 64 years up to the time of Fred’s passing. They had their first daughter Nora before moving to Thompson in 1960 with Inco. In 1963 they built a home on Martin Bay and still owned that home at her passing. They had their second daughter Janet after moving into their new home.

Ellen will be best remembered as the Cinnamon bun lady. She worked at the arena concession for many years until she decided to take the business over herself. After her husband Fred retired you would find them both working there. They had the best wintertime burgers, fries, and cinnamon buns around. Ellen loved the cooking, her staff, and customers at the arena. After taking a few years off to snowmobile and enjoy winters at the lake - she ended up back at the arena working and making cinnamon buns for Winnie Stuart, until the old arena was replaced. She was a great supporter of hockey and enjoyed watching the games. Ellen was a Toronto Maple Leaf’s fan and Fred was a Montreal Canadians fan which made watching games with them interesting! Ellen could be quite feisty! Ellen’s other jobs in Thompson included running many elections and working for Census Canada.

Ellen also belonged to the Legion Ladies Auxiliary. She loved playing Bingo and worked selling Bingo cards on Tuesdays. Over the years she also would bake many different loaf’s and treats for the Bingo concession. She worked and cooked for many banquets at the legion. She prepped lots of the meal for both of her daughter’s weddings. Many cabbage rolls, perogies and turkeys were prepared. The legion ladies were incredibly special to her.

Ellen and Fred built their favorite place at Paint Lake. They started the cabin in 1964 and were always doing something to improve it over the years. She had a great love for the lake life. She enjoyed fishing, gardening, boating, socializing and watersports. Ellen and Fred were enormously proud of what they built at the lake. Their garden was amazing. Ellen made the best raspberry jam(and tons of it), pickled beets, pickled carrots, canned tomatoes and Rhubarb pies and cakes! Ellen was an amazing cook and loved to feed everybody! Ellen loved bowling and had many trophies and fond memories from Thompson Lanes.

Ellen had two grandson’s, Jonathan, and Matthew Lamontagne. She was proud of them and loved them very much. They loved spending time at the cabin together. Both boys would spend time afterschool at her house and occasionally have lunch there.

Ellen broke her hip for a second time in 2018 and suffered some health issues that meant she would stay at the Thompson General Hospital until she moved into The Northern Spirit Manor early in 2020. She lived there until she passed.

A special thank you to the Staff and Elders at Northern Spirit Manor for making Ellen part of their family. Thank you for your kindness, friendship, and thoughtfulness. Everyone from housekeeping, dietary, visitation, clerical, recreation, nurses, and health care aides were greatly appreciated.

Ellen is survived by her daughters Nora (Grant) Hignell, Janet (Doug)Lamontagne, her grandsons Jonathan and Matthew Lamontagne.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ellen’s memory to Northern Spirit Manor, to a charity of your choice or to a family you know in cancer care.

Cremation has taken place and a private interment will take place at a later date.