This Chapter? I Call it Life Falling Into Place
An Angel on Her Shoulder
At 93 years old, Marcella has lived through more chapters than most people can imagine. From growing up in Northern Saskatchewan without running water or electricity, to raising a family, returning to school as a single mother, building a career in libraries, and eventually finding a sense of home at Wild Rose, her life has been filled with unexpected turns.
Yet when she looks back, Marcella doesn’t see a carefully planned journey.
Instead, she sees a life that seemed to unfold exactly when it was meant to.
“I’ve always said I had an angel sitting on my shoulder,” she says. “Everything I even thought about doing, it just happened.”
For Marcella, every chapter led naturally to the next, and somehow, life always seemed to fall into place.
Growing Up in Northern Saskatchewan
Marcella’s story begins in a small village in Northern Saskatchewan, where life was simple and far removed from the pace of city living.
“We didn’t have running water or power at home,” she recalls.
After graduating from high school, she wasn’t sure what came next.
“When I graduated from high school, I had no idea what I was going to do. I knew my parents didn’t have the money to support me for post secondary education.”
Then an unexpected opportunity arrived.
A family friend visiting from Edmonton mentioned there might be work available at the Charles Camsell Hospital and encouraged Marcella to apply.
“She gave me the matron’s name and address, and I wrote to her asking for a job,” Marcella recalls. “She wrote back and said, yes, we have a job for you and you can move into residence.”
At just 18 years old, Marcella packed her belongings and moved to Edmonton.
“I had never been in a city,” she says.
Following Opportunities
Living in residence and working at the hospital was overwhelming at first, but Marcella remembers the kindness of the people around her.
“There was an older lady in the residence who sort of took me under her wing and showed me the ropes,” she says.
She quickly made friends, enjoyed the work, and began building a life of her own. Her journey eventually took her to other hospitals, and she began considering what her future might hold.
As it often would throughout her life, one opportunity quietly led to another.
Love, Family and New Beginnings
Although Marcella had considered pursuing nursing, life had other plans.
“This handsome guy came, and I fell in love,” she says with a smile.
The couple married in 1955, moved to Hinton, and raised four children together.
Family quickly became the centre of Marcella’s world, a role it continues to hold today.
Years later, after losing her husband in 1977, Marcella found herself facing another unexpected chapter and asking what came next.
Returning to School
As it turned out, the answer arrived much the same way other opportunities had throughout her life.
A local school library where she had been volunteering offered her a job. Then, while sorting through the mail one day, she came across an advertisement for the Library Technician program at Grant MacEwan.
“I don’t know what made me do it, but I applied,” she remembers.
Soon after being accepted, Marcella sold her home in Hinton, moved to Edmonton with her youngest daughter, and returned to school.
She graduated in 1982 and was immediately offered a position with Edmonton Public Library.
“I didn’t even have to apply,” she laughs.
Looking back, Marcella sees this pattern throughout her life. Opportunities appeared when she needed them, and each new experience seemed to guide her toward the next.
Marcella worked with Edmonton Public Library until retiring in 1994. During that time, she also remarried and helped raise her step-son.
Family Above Everything
For Marcella, family has always been at the centre of her life.
“Family is the most important thing to me,” she says.
Looking back, Marcella considers raising her family one of her greatest accomplishments.
“My children grew up to be good people. They’re doing well, and I’m proud of that.”
Today, she treasures time spent with her children, and grandchildren. One grandson is even helping her write her memoir, ensuring her stories will continue to be shared for generations to come.
Finding the Right Place at the Right Time
After losing her second husband in 2012, Marcella continued living independently for several more years before deciding it was time for a new chapter and a little extra support.
“I was afraid to cook anymore,” she says. “I knew it was time for me to move.”
When she discovered Wild Rose, something about it immediately felt right.
“This is exactly where I should be,” Marcella says. “I’m quite happy here.”
Today, Marcella spends her days enjoying good conversation, shared meals, music performances, and visits from family. It’s a simple rhythm of life that brings her happiness.
Life Falling Into Place
At 93 years old, Marcella’s outlook on life is beautifully simple.
When asked what she looks forward to, Marcella pauses for a moment.
“Just having another good day.”
For Marcella, happiness isn’t found in grand plans or major milestones. It’s found in family visits, familiar faces, meaningful conversations, and appreciating the life she has built through decades of change, love, learning, and new beginnings.
Life was never about having a perfect plan.
It was about embracing each new opportunity as it came along and trusting that, somehow, everything would fall into place.