Obituaries

Our Della left this world on February 2nd, 2026. Della Margaret MacLellan was born in September 1942 in Sydney, Cape Breton. She was the only child of Alex and Ruth MacLellan.

Della’s father died tragically when she was six months old. Years later, Della’s mother married Fred Cuvalier of Halifax, where the family resided until Della was 17. During that time, the family was blessed with Della’s half-brother, Gary. Sadly, at 17, Della lost her young mother to cancer. For the next 58 years, unable to live independently, she made her home in Cape Breton and Bedford, becoming part of the Woodill family and lovingly cared for by her mother’s sister, Aunt Mary, Uncle Fred and her cousins Freddie (Sweetie Pie #2), Debbie and Earle (Sweetie Pie #1), who considered themselves Della’s siblings.

Della was a beautiful soul who saw the best in everyone. Her positive attitude was contagious and consistent. If you asked her how she felt, she would respond, “I could jump over the moon!”, no matter what she was handling.

With her wonderful sense of humour, a smile or laugh was never far from the surface. She was known for her comical “one-liner comebacks”.

Della was very social and thrived on routine. She enjoyed her daily 9:00 a.m. walks to the Chickenburger and Bedford McDonalds, making many friends along the way, always remembering their names and stories. This walking routine started when she lived in Lake Ainslie, where she measured her walks by the number of telephone poles she passed on any particular day. Weather was never a deterrent.

At the age of 73, after entering care at Ivany Care Facility, she traded her walking routine for a shorter walk to the BMO Centre in Hammonds Plains. There she’d watch the skaters, passing time enjoying the free coffee they gifted her while getting to know the staff at Subway. Everyone knew and loved Della. That feeling was reciprocated.

Sundays were special for Della and she waited all week, looking forward to church. She was part of a strong church community while living in Lake Ainslie and then again in Bedford, as part of the Bedford United Church. This brought her so much joy. She’d be dressed and ready to be picked up two to three hours early. Thank you to the ladies of the church who made those Sundays possible and the highlight of her week.

If Della was given a task, whether at home or at church, she could be counted on to fulfill her responsibility. These tasks included doing dishes, being a church greeter or waiting at the top of the driveway for the mailman to pass her the mail or newspaper, all while teasing each other.

Della’s dearest friend was Frances MacNeil of Sydney. She meant the world to Della, sharing many laughs and good times. She always referred to her as, “my old buddy, Frances!”

In her last years, Della’s constant companions were her many stuffed animals and two lifelike cats, both named Princess. Colouring books, crossword puzzles and word searches kept her busy.

Della was loved by her whole extended family which included many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her mother, father, stepfather, Aunt Mary and Uncle Fred Woodill, as well as many aunts and uncles.

Della is survived by her half-brother, Gary (Barb) MacDougall, her ‘sibling like’ cousins, Fred (Pam) Woodill, Debbie (Rob) Miller and Earle (Lois) Woodill, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Della’s family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Bedford Ivany for the tender and compassionate care they showed her during the ten years she lived there.

To honour Della, live as she did: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind!”

Future arrangements will be made to celebrate Della’s life.