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Valerie Elizabeth Macmillan (Lowther)
September 15, 1919 - October 10, 2014
Tribute
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Valerie MacMillan, on Friday, October 10. She passed peacefully in her sleep after enjoying a happy day on Thursday taking part in singing and Bingo and went to bed laughing. What more could one wish for her to experience in her transition from this world to the next? Mum was a life-long resident of this area, born on Salt Spring Island on September 15, 1919, the daughter of Dorothy (Dot) and Percy Lowther. She remembered her childhood on Salt Spring Island with fondness. Mum graduated from St Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1943, following in her mother’s footsteps as a nurse. In 1947 she married our dad, Hugh MacMillan, and moved to the Cowichan Valley. She began nursing here at King’s Daughters Hospital before moving on to the Cowichan District Hospital, serving as Head Nurse until she retired in 1979. She was well known in the community, through her work at the hospital and volunteering. In retirement she travelled with our Dad, and after his passing, with her friends, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, did fundraising for a number of organizations, and enjoyed her gardening. Val was predeceased by her sister, Anne Lee, and her husband, Hugh MacMillan. She is survived by her daughter, Heather Biasio (Robert Thompson), her son, Graham MacMillan (Julie Weeks); 4 grandchildren, Matthew (Krystal), Suzanne, Colin, and Alex (Alexys); 3 great grandchildren, Hailey, Connor, and Harrison, who excited her a lot; 3 nieces, Susan Seward (Murray), Jane Harbert (Damon) and Judy Harder (Norm) and their children, MacKenzie, Jack, Jaden, Nathan, Jordan, Meghan and Madison; the Keserich family, Wendy, Bill, Michele (Mark), their children, Courtney and Josh, and Billy. And not to be forgotten, her many 4-legged friends, some deceased, some still with us. She was well known for her sense of humor and quick laugh, her caring for others and her enjoyment of being with others, always seeing the positive and the funny side. Even in retirement she was there to help those needing support – she saw herself as a nurse right up until the end. We will miss her laugh. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice. The funeral service will be Saturday, October 18, at 1:00pm, at St John’s Anglican Church, 486 Jubilee Street, Duncan.
Condolences
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From: H.W. Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre Staff
H.W. Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre Staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Dawna Hurst
Relation: Friend of Family
Dear Heather and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to you all.
Dawna Hurst and family
From: Gus Strand
Relation: Through work at KDH and CDH
Everyone who knew Val – loved Val. My condolences, Gus Strand
From: Robert & Janice Maxwell
Relation: friend of Daughter Heather
Very sorry to hear of Val’s passing; we loved to meet with her, and her great sense of humor. She was a true west coast girl – very giving and very connected with her community. We know Heather is very proud of her mom.
From: Peggy (Flett) Phillips
Relation: Val was my Head Nurse in 1973
I remember Val with great fondness. She was a great Head Nurse and friend. A very lovely lady.
From: Jay Garrow
Relation: propane customer
Mrs MacMillan was always sweet kind and warm. I very much enjoyed our chats when I would see her. jay garrow
From: Marshall Heinekey
Relation: Family friend
My condolences and prayers go out to Val’s family. Val was a very close friend of my mother Ruth and I have some very fond memories of Val her sense of humor and laugh. I last time saw Val was at a BCIT graduation ceremony late nineties for one of her grand daughters (I believe). I can’t attend the funeral tomorrow but I will thing of the many times she made laugh. Marshall Heinekey Saltspring.
From: john ramsey
Relation: friend
I knew Val and her family for many years. She worked hard as a nurse and home maker. Was a great friend to my mother Kay and her children. Our condolences to Graham and Heather and their families. John and Gail
From: Gary and Pauline Jackson
Relation: yes
I would like to send our sympathies to you Wendy and Bill. I met your Mom Wendy at the Pennell House /Abbeyfield on Indian Road. I found out that your Mom and my Mom Marion(Longstreet) Genereux worked at the old Kings Daughters Hospital before I was born of course. I found that your Mom was a wonderful person always laughing and always happy when she was at the Pennells. I work there with another client through my work. So again I will say to find out that our Mothers worked with each other at the same hospital and everything was so neat. My Mom Marion died last June 22,20l3 in Carinsmore Place and so missing her is hard. But I carry on for the sake of my older brother Gene and help him every day with his daily living as he is mentally challenged. So DAd has been gone Paul Genereux for 31 years now. So I again say that one day we will all be together again. Take care Wendy and know that she is with your Dad and enjoying the life where she is now ok. Sympathies, Gary and Pauline Jackson.
From: Teresa and Dave Cairns
Relation: mother of Graham
Graham and Family: We are very sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. We are very sorry that we missed the service – did not find out until after the fact. Your mom was a lovely lady and will be missed.
Teresa and Dave
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
Date & Time:
October 18, 2014
Beginning at 1:00pm
Location:
St. John''s Anglican Church
486 Jubilee Street
Duncan, BC Canada V9L 1X2
486 Jubilee Street
Duncan, BC Canada V9L 1X2
Memorial Gifts
The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.
Thank You Notice
Send Flowers
Floral Tributes may be ordered at:
Blooms at 49th Parallel – 778-422-0262
Floral Bar at Party Mood – www.floralbar.ca or 250-701-3151
Floral Department at Thrifty Foods – http://floral.thriftyfoods.
When ordering please have the name of the deceased, the date of the funeral service and the Funeral Home information.
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Send Condolence - For Valerie Macmillan
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