Emily MacLellan, 94
Meet Emily MacLellan, 94
After nearly three years of patiently waiting on just the right moment and the right weather the stars finally aligned for Emily’s long-awaited wish to come true. One week after celebrating her 94th birthday, Emily soared above the beautiful Mira River in a helicopter, taking in the landscape that has shaped much of her life.
On a farm nestled along the Mira River in Cape Breton, Emily spent her life working hard alongside her husband Martin, a WWII paratrooper, raising seven children and building a home filled with love, resilience, and strength. Life on the farm was never easy, but it was full of purpose, and Emily wouldn’t have had it any other way.
The idea for Emily’s wish came unexpectedly. Several years ago, while watching a news story about a senior skydiving on their 84th birthday, Emily's son-in-law playfully asked if she’d ever consider jumping from a plane. She laughed and said, “No way!” But when he suggested a helicopter ride instead, her eyes lit up and her answer was a definite yes.
Since then, they’ve waited patiently, hoping the ever-changing Cape Breton weather would finally cooperate. And it did on a clear and beautiful weekend just after her 94th birthday.
Emily's life is simple, grounded in routine and love for her family. But this wish was something special: a way to honor the place she’s called home for so many years from a whole new perspective, one her late husband knew so well. It was a meaningful way for her to feel connected to him once more.
As the helicopter lifted off from a field on her own farm, it wasn’t just a thrilling ride. It was a moment of pure joy, a tribute to a life well-lived, and a reminder of the importance of celebrating our seniors while they’re still here to enjoy it.
This flight was more than a wish fulfilled, it was a thank you to a woman who has given so much to her family and her community. And it’s one Emily and her family will be talking about for years to come.
Special Thanks: Breton Air
Photography: Greg Curry Photography - Cape Breton Photographer
