Eleanor (Ellie) Woodland

After a full life well-lived, the last 9 years with stage 4 breast cancer--first spreading to the bones in 2016, and then in 2019 to the liver, Ellie passed away on Thursday, August 28, 2025 in the Red Deer Hospital, one month short of her 65th birthday.

Ellie was born in Abbotsford, BC on September 28, 1960, the fourth of the six children of Henry and Elvira Wiebe. She placed her faith in Jesus at a young age, and was baptized in January, 1974 at Central Heights MB Church in Abbotsford. Her faith was always the foundation and central focus throughout her life--never just an accessory.

A shared interest in languages and a commitment to Christian service led to Ellie's friendship, and then marriage to Andy Woodland in April, 1986, and for the next 39+ years, Ellie and Andy shared life together.

Their life journey included serving a missionaries in Pakistan for nearly 16 years, where Ellie raised and home-schooled their two children, had many friendships in three languages, and was an integral part of the team which translated the scriptures into the language of the Kacchi Koli people.

On returning to Canada in 2003, the Woodland family moved to Three Hills, where Andy was on staff at Prairie Bible College for several years, while Ellie found her niche as the ESL tutor for international students at Three Hills School, where she served capably for 14 years, retiring early in January, 2020, 3 1/2 years after her stage 4 cancer diagnosis.

Wanting to be closer to the families of their two now married children, Ellie and Andy moved to Red Deer in January, 2021, and, though continuing as a cancer patient, Ellie lived a full life as a mother, grandmother, best friend and confidant to many women, and always as a faithful follower of Jesus. She was active to the end, swimming her last regular set of 40 pool lengths (1 km) at the Michener Aquatic Centre just one week before she was hospitalized on August 17-- the cancer in her liver had reached a tipping point, and the damage proved to be irreversible.

Ellie is lovingly remembered by her husband, Andy; her son, Devin (Anna) and granddaughter Eden; her daughter Shehana (Noah) Arychuk and grandson Lewis, all of Red Deer; her mother Elivra Wiebe; sisters Anne (Gerald) Dueck, Kathi (Erv) Klassen, Bonnie (Dan) Hughes; and brother Larry, all living in the Abbotsford area; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her father Henry, and her sister Elvira.

The celebration of Ellie's well-lived life of service and faith was held at Deer Park Alliance Church in Red Deer on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

The service is archived at the 'church online' tab of the church's website: https://www.deerparkchurch.ca/

It can also be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PJH4JsV7Eg

Memorial gifts to support the ongoing translation and scripture engagement work among the Kachhi Koli people can be sent to Wycliffe Canada.

Please include a separate note designating funds to the“Ellie Woodland Memorial Fund, (12805).”

To give online, visit [www.wycliffe.ca/Ellie-Woodland-Memorial-Fund]www.wycliffe.ca/Ellie-Woodland-Memorial-Fund