Theresa MacLellan
1927-2020
MacLELLAN, Theresa –
Age 93, Riverside, Inverness Co., passed away
peacefully on Monday, August 31, 2020, in the Port Hawkesbury Nursing
Home. Born in Riverside, Inverness Co., she was a daughter of the late
Ronald « Big Ranald » and Mary Ann (MacDonald)
MacLellan.
From a very young age, Theresa showed a keen interest in the
violin, beginning to play at the young age of 8. Her brother Donald
also an accomplished violin player coached Theresa along and soon
after at the age of 9 she played at her first public performance at a
picnic in West Bay Road. Musical talent was indeed heavily intwined in
the family, for her father was an accomplished violin player and her
mother was an accomplished piano player as well as all her siblings
either it be piano, violin or singing.
Theresa, her brother Donald and her sister Marie would later
become known as « The MacLellan Trio » playing at countless
square dances, concerts and even the odd kitchen party over the years
throughout Inverness County and Cape Breton. They had a style about
them that could not be surpassed! In the early years one can recall
listening to Theresa play over the radio during the « Concert
Under the Stars ». She also played for the Montreal Olympics,
CBC’s « Ceilidh » and she played for her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth ll. In more recent years, Theresa played at the
Creamery Ceilidhs, St. Ann’s Fiddle Festival and at Celtic
Colours. Theresa and her sister Marie released a number of albums over
the years.
Her music in every sense was powerful, ornamented and rich.
Captain Carswell was noted as being her by far favourite tune. She was
a female violinist who helped pave the way for future female players
and was commonly referred to as « The First Lady of Cape Breton
Fiddle Music ». She was quoted saying « The men are strong
players, you’ve gotta get in there with them, follow them
and drive’er with them! I was the only woman playing with
those men for a long time. If you have quality, there’s no
disadvantage to being a woman! ». A legend in her own rite, she
has definitely left her mark in many ways in the Celtic Music scene of
Cape Breton and beyond and generations to come will always enjoy her
profound and unique style of playing. She created a sound that only
she could do!
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She was predeceased by brothers, Joseph, Donald Francis, John A. and
Rory in infancy; sister, Marie. There will be no visitation. A public
graveside service will be held at a date to be announced in St.
Margaret of Scotland Parish Cemetery, West Bay Road. Friends and
neighbours alike will all be asked to attend and if you have a musical
instrument, take it along and Theresa will be given a tribute fit for
the « First Lady of Fiddle Music ». Words of comfort may be
forwarded at www.haverstocks.com
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19272020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Theresa MacLellan 19272020..
Dennis Haverstocks funeral homes
Décès pour la Ville: Port-Hawkesbury, Province: Nova Scotia