Tribute

Our beloved mother, Joan (“Joanie”) Agnes McMillan (nee Macdonald), whose Victoria High School yearbook caption reads “a bundle of brains and beauty with a smile for all,” left this life on December 1, 2016, 90 years young and elegant in her final moments. On her passing, she was held in the arms of her two grateful children, Kathleen Skovgaard Andersen (Duncan, B.C.) and Ross McMillan (Vancouver, B.C.), who will especially remember her for sharing, among her many admirable qualities, an absolute devotion to family, a commitment to service, a fiery Scots determination, and an enduring sense of humour.

Mum enjoyed a rich and varied career in public service administration, culminating in her long tenure at the B.C. Legislature in the Office of the Clerk. Her greatest legacy, we hope, will be to have her own depth of character reflected and honoured in the lives of her four cherished grandchildren, whose presence in her life gave her such joy: David, Behn, Marin, and Solas.

Predeceased in 1986 by husband John (“Red”) McMillan of Victoria, B.C., brother and sister-in-law Angus and Pat Macdonald of Victoria, B.C., and sadly all of her McMillan siblings-in-law, Margaret, Agnes, Helen, and Archie, and their spouses. Mum is lovingly remembered by the co-parents of her grandchildren, Preben Skovgaard Andersen (Duncan, B.C.) and Darcy Dobell (Vancouver, B.C.), sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and Bob Wall of West Vancouver, B.C., and many nieces and nephews from both the McMillan and Macdonald clans whom she loved dearly.

We will honour Mum’s life in a private family ceremony.

We extend thanks to Dr. Susan Barr, and all the nursing and caregiving staff at Sunridge Place in Duncan, B.C., for their care and support, particularly in Mum’s final days.

Rest in peace, Mum, and know you are deeply loved by those who remain behind. Even at this sad time, we are so grateful for the joy of our lessons and laughter together.

Should anyone close to Mum wish to make a contribution in her memory, please consider giving to Cowichan Hospice http://cowichanvalleyhospice.org/ or to the Joan McMillan Memorial Fund at Tides Canada Foundation http://tidescanada.org/.