Tribute

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of our dear friend, Annie Mae Miller. Annie Mae passed away peacefully on April 25, 2023 at Cerwydden Care Home in Duncan.  Annie Mae had resided at Cairnsmore Place then Cerwydden Care Home for a number of years following several debilitating strokes. We are grateful for the kind and compassionate care that Annie Mae received at Cairnsmore Place and Cerwydden Care Home.

Annie Mae led a full life, surrounded by friends, working as a public health nurse, volunteering for numerous societies, and travelling extensively.

Annie Mae was born in the family home in Hedgeville, River John, Pictou County, Nova Scotia on January 10, 1928 to Mr. Lawson Reid and Mrs. Margaret McRae Reid.  Annie Mae is predeceased by her parents and by her loving husband John. Annie Mae grew up in River John as an only child and after graduating high school travelled to Glace Bay, Cape Breton where she obtained her Registered Nursing Diploma from the Glace Bay General Hospital School of Nursing.  Following graduation, Annie Mae travelled to Montreal to study Obstetrics at McGill University.  After leaving McGill University, she travelled across Canada, working one month in each province, ending in Vancouver at St. Vincent’s Hospital. She then attended UBC for Public Health Nursing.

While working in Vancouver, Annie Mae met her future husband, John Miller, in 1955. Then the travel bug hit again, and she was off with Trish, a nursing classmate, on a planned three-month trip which became a three-year odyssey. The trip started in London, continued through Europe and then extended into Asia with stops in Persia, India, Pakistan, Turkey and Afghanistan. She nursed for two years at the Mayo Hospital in Lahore, West Pakistan. She also worked odd jobs such as bartending, waitressing and washing dishes to pay for her travels. Annie Mae returned to Pictou County and for the next two years worked as a public health nurse while continuing her long-distance courtship with John. Annie Mae and John were married in 1965 at St. George’s Presbyterian Church in River John. They honeymooned in Cape Breton and then drove across eastern Canada and the northern United States to set up residence in Duncan.

Annie Mae worked in the King’s Daughters’ Hospital and then in the Cowichan District Hospital when it opened.  She worked in the Kaatza Health Center in Lake Cowichan before relocating to the Margaret Moss Health Center in Duncan where she worked until she retired in 1988. While working as a public health nurse, Annie Mae would often pick up shifts at the hospital to help out.

Annie Mae was an avid curler and past president of the Glen Harper Curling Club. She and John participated in many bonspiels both in Duncan, BC and across Canada with a memorable trip to Scotland to play in a bonspiel there. They both had a passion for hockey and were perennial season ticket holders of the Cowichan Capitals. You could find them in their season seats every game. Annie Mae also volunteered for numerous societies and organizations. She volunteered at the Commonwealth Games in Victoria and at Special Olympic events.  She was a member of the Women of the Moose and held numerous positions on the Executive Board which entailed travelling across Canada and to the United States to attend executive meetings.  She was an active member of the Canadian Legion. She was a member of the King’s Daughters’ Hospital and Cowichan District Hospital Alumni Association.  Annie Mae also found time to be a Peer Councilor and past President for the Seniors Resource and Support Society of Cowichan and was also a past president of the local Chapter of the Registered Nurses Association of BC.

Annie Mae and John enjoyed travelling together, making numerous trips to the Maritimes, especially to Nova Scotia and PEI with their close friend Betty James and also numerous trips with Ruth Frost, a close nursing classmate of Annie Mae’s from Glace Bay. Other trips included drives across Canada in their motorhome and down south to El Centro, California during the winter months. John and Annie Mae also loved cruising and took many excursions around the world including two trips around the tip of South America and on to Hong Kong and Thailand.   They were fortunate to sail on the last voyage of the QE2 across the Atlantic.  Also trips to the UK and New Zealand where they accumulated lifelong friends.

Annie Mae leaves behind a legacy of service to others and memories of her kind nature and cheerful disposition. She was loved by all who knew her.

A service will be held at Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at 531 Herbert St in Duncan at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 5^th with lunch to follow in the Church Hall. For those that wish to attend, the interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery, 6494 Somenos Rd, Duncan.  In lieu of flowers, a donation in Annie Mae’s memory to your charity of choice or to Annie Mae’s favourite charity, the BCSPCA, is appreciated.