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.