Obituary of Frances Miller

An early Alberta pioneer, Frances was the daughter of Robert and Mary (Pope) Walker who came west in 1906 to homestead at Elnora, Alberta. She was born in Brantford Ontario, December 18, 1903, the fifth of six children. She attended Cornwall School in Elnora and Alberta College North in Edmonton. In 1928 she married Dr. George Barnes Miller, Veterinary Surgeon, in Winnipeg. They resided in Winnipeg, London England, Ottawa, and Kelowna. Frances strongly believed that women should have an education leading to a career. As a young woman, she enjoyed her work in the Insurance industry in Winnipeg. In Ottawa, she decided to expand her horizons and took up a position with the United Kingdom Information Office. During her ten years there, one of her responsibilities was to arrange for speakers from the UK to tour Canada. She enjoyed briefing them on the history, geography and politics of the regions they would be visiting. Frances was a woman of great determination and endurance. Her wise counsel was appreciated by many. Her pioneer background and her Anglican faith gave her courage to face difficult times, both as a young woman and on into her senior years. Her passion for crossword puzzles continued until just a few weeks before her death. Always of good cheer and quick wit, she was an avid scholar of British History, especially the lives of the Queens of England. She was an avowed monarchist and patriotic Canadian. Frances is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Marvel and Bill Evelyn of Calgary, her sister Grace Thompson of Bashaw, daughter-in-law, Ruth Bredin of Winnipeg, four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews across Canada, California USA and in Scotland. She also has three step-grandchildren and five step great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, George in 1969, her son Tom Bredin of Winnipeg, sisters Alice Mucklow, Milly Smith; brothers Harold and Gordon Walker; nephews Robert and Alan Young and an infant niece Edith Thompson. During the last twenty years, superb caregivers from Home Care Services, Visiting Homemakers and the Shoppers Service, made it possible for Frances to stay in her own apartment in Bowbridge Manor until January, 2000. The family would particularly like to thank the staff of Scenic Acres Retirement Residence for their unfailing, wonderful care and patience with Frances over the last four years. Home Care Nurses and Palliative Caregivers also provided kind support to both Frances and her family. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service and Thanksgiving for Frances’ life will be held in the Chapel of Scenic Acres Retirement Residence, 150 Scotia Landing N.W., at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2004. To forward condolences go to www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, Frances wished that donations be made to St. David’s Anglican Church, Box 539, Elnora, Alberta T0M 0Y0, or to Fort Calgary Historic Park Endowment Fund, PO Box 2100, Station M, Calgary, Alberta T2P 2M5. In living memory of Frances Miller, a tree will be planted at Nose Creek Valley by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 Crowfoot Circle N.W., CALGARY, TELEPHONE: (403) 241-0044.