Shirley Miller (née Taylor) passed away on 18 September at Selkirk Place, Victoria, BC. Born in Edmonton in 1927, she spoke most fondly of the years when she was raising her two children and niece in Winnipeg, and served as secretary to the Head of the Architecture Faculty at the University of Manitoba.
Shirley was a quiet, gentle woman who loved to laugh, but whose sense of humour was never condescending or barbed. She was a proud Canadian. She cherished the role of the First Nations and took a great interest in their cultures and beliefs. As her father, son and second husband all worked on the trains, she felt highly privileged to be able to travel extensively across this huge country for over half a century. She closely followed the causes of the ups and downs in the national and regional economies, and knew what type of rural and urban industries characterised every part of the country, as well as their flora and fauna. Also an avid follower of international news, she was always deeply moved to learn of people’s lives being afflicted by war or disaster.
Shirley was predeceased by her older sister Lois Taylor, younger sister June Thomson, first husband Bill Smart, their children Chuck and Heather Smart, and second husband Ian Miller. She is survived by her granddaughter Shay Kokiw (Michael) of Whitehorse, grandson Aaron Smart of Edmonton, step-son Tom Miller (Alvina) of Abbotsford, step-daughters Janet Mok (Don) of Toronto and Catherine Elphick (Bob) of Winnipeg, and niece Elspeth Thomson (Barnard) of Victoria.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Peg Francis
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Michelle Woods Beautiful words, Elspeth, about your aunt Shirley. What a lovely woman. How blessed you were to have her in your life.
Dear Elspeth,
So sorry to hear that your dear aunt has left us. She was a lovely woman, and blessed by having you for a niece. Very much love to you all from Peg and Joyce Francis.