Ian C. Maclellan Obituary

October 17, 2017

Monique Natasha L P lit a candle

“I will never forget you. Mr. MacLellan was the epitome of kindness, class, sophistication and generosity. He was an icon to fashion, business, retail and a friend to anyone he crossed paths with. He was an inspiration to me both professionally and personally. Mr. Mac gave me my first job. He let his employee’s ship parcels at Christmas through his receiving department in the store so they could save money. My mother June was mailing parcels to our family in Newfoundland and his daughter Heather called my mom down to find out who wrapped her gifts. Mr. Mac got word of my ribbon skills (haha) and asked me to join his gift-wrapping team for Christmas and every Christmas. I was a 13 year old Christmas gift wrapper in the most prestigious store in Halifax alongside the lovely ladies Juliette, Martha and Anastasia. I remember how special I felt that he trusted me at such a young age to gift wrap the incredible gifts that were purchased at his luxurious store. We all felt so special when he and his wife Jane would refer to us as their “Christmas Elves”. I did this every December every year until I moved away, I wrapped presents at Mills Brothers for 10 years and every year even now when I wrap presents at Christmas I think about those days. Every event they had I was invited, I came to buyers events and exclusive private functions, every moment in Mills was incredible. My mother worked for Mr. MacLellan for over 12 years. Those were her happiest professional days and I remember how much I loved to be in the store with her during the Holidays. Mills Brothers was more than a store and Mr. Mac was more than an employer. He treated his employees like family and their families like his own and that was well known to anyone who ventured into the iconic Mills Brother on Spring Garden road. My final year in my undergraduate degree at University I won a very prestigious award, the honor of being named a Dalhousie University Academic All Canadian – being honored as an Academic All-Canadian is one of the most prestigious awards a varsity student-athlete can ever receive. When Mr. Mac found out I won this award (from my Mom – who loved to share our accomplishments with the Mills Brothers family) he wanted to do something special for me. He told my mom to get me into the store and they were going to style me for the occasion. He had his daughter Heather and Sandra the ladies wear buyer and expert style me for the awards show. Mr. MacLellan gifted me with an off the runway brand new four-piece Michael Kors suit set … I had never owned anything like that and on my big day I could not have felt more special. It was the most incredible gift. I still have this suit and I wear it 10 years later at my Architecture firm today. It makes me feel strong, professional, beautiful and confident – something that all women should feel. Most importantly it reminds of my times at Mills Brothers, it reminds me of my support system and it makes me feel at home wherever I am. Whenever I get compliments I tell them the kind story behind the glamorous clothing. He treated everyone with kindness and he was one of the most incredible people I have ever known. I will never forget you. This world was a better place because of you and it will continue to be a better place for the memories we have of you. Love Monique "The Sneak" Penney 💙”