Elena Ann Everett (Vitiello) died suddenly, after a long and joyful life, on July 5, 2017 in Smiths Falls, Ontario at the age of 90. Elena is survived and deeply missed by her husband of 35 years Kirk Everett; her children Michael Straw, Karen Buelow (Dave), Maryann Kerr (Stephen) and Jamie Straw; her grand-children Christa O’Callaghan MacDougall (Jamie), Jonathan O’Callaghan (Natalie) and Alison Melo (Tony), Lauren, Taylor & Mark Straw; Melody-Ann, Harmony, Aria, Tenor, Serenade, Cadence, and Reed Straw and, Kimberley & Kaitlyn Kerr; her great-grand-children Abigayle, Emma & Jake MacDougall, Tony Austin & Maddison Melo and Charlie O’Callaghan and her sister Yvonne, niece and nephew Carmen and Mario and extended family in Malta and beyond. Elena was loved by her step-children Bill, Bob, Brian and Bruce. Predeceased by her son Mark and her siblings Theresa, Nini, Yolanda, Robert, Rafela, Victor and her twin George.

Elena was born in Malta on November 30, 1926 and lived there as a young teenager through the Siege of Malta 1940-42. In 1955 she met and married Jeff Straw a sailor in the Royal Navy. Elena moved to England and had her first child, Michael in 1956. Mark and Karen were born in Malta in 1957 and 1958. Maryann was born in England in 1961. In July of 1962 the family moved to Canada and Elena’s last child, Jamie was born in Toronto in 1964. After their separation, Elena worked in the stockroom at K-Mart until her retirement. She made many lifelong friends there. Elena married Mitch Campbell in 1973. Elena spent her years with Mitch at the Moisie Salmon Club in Sept-Illes, Quebec and thrived in the wilderness with her pet groundhog Wilemina.

Elena married Kirk on July 7, 1982 and over the years they had many adventures together from cycling on a bicycle built for two across India to winters on a houseboat in St. Augustine Florida where they volunteered at the local soup kitchen. She created a “boutique” for locals in need where they could come to access clothing, shoes and accessories. She developed a love for tennis late in life and gave Kirk a run for his money. She was an avid cribbage and bridge player and a devoted mother, grand-mother and great-grand-mother. She had an incredible joy for life and was quick with a smile and laugh.

A Memorial Service will be held at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa) on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 11 a.m., followed by a private family burial at 12:30 p.m. The family welcomes everyone to a celebration of Elena’s life at a reception at 5 p.m. at the Ramada Ottawa on the Rideau, 2259 Prince of Wales Dr Ottawa. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to Bruce House www.brucehouse.ca or to a charity of your choice.