Anne McLellan Miller

Anne McLellan Miller passed away peacefully at Wellesley Central Place in Toronto on July 19, 2024, in her 97th year. The day before her passing, Anne enjoyed a wonderful day outside in the beautiful backyard garden of the centre, listening to the birds and the sounds of the city.

Born on August 28th, 1927, in Trois-Rivières, Québec, to Willena (née O'Connor) and William Parker of Nova Scotia, Anne was raised in Halifax with her four siblings. She endured many hardships in her early life, including family difficulties related to the war, the Great Depression, and the tragic death of her 15-year-old sister, Blanche. These challenges shaped Anne into a strong and resilient woman with a profound sense of social justice. She believed that everyone deserved to live happy, healthy lives, free from violence and social injustices.

Anne pursued higher education at Dalhousie University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and later at St. Mary's University, where she received a Bachelor of Education. It was at a Dalhousie social event that she met her lifelong best friend and husband, Mark, bonding over their shared interest in politics and social justice, and their shared sense of drive, wit, and humour. Anne dedicated over 40 years of her life to teaching. Her first role was at the Nova Scotia School for the Blind, inspired by her mother, who was blind from birth. After moving to Ontario, she continued her teaching career with the Toronto Board of Education.

Anne and Mark shared a love for travel and art collection. They were overjoyed to have a daughter, Deboragh, and dreamed of having a bigger family. They loved their son-in-law Douglas like their own child and were ecstatic when they had two grandchildren, Geoffrey and Madeleine, whom they cherished. Geoff and Maddie have fond memories of being babysat by and visiting Anne and Zayda. Anne and Mark played a huge role in their childhood. Anne was an avid animal lover, gardener, and bird watcher, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. Even in her last decade, she delighted in observing and hearing stories about birds, wild animals, nature, and the family’s Labrador retrievers Cleo, Hailey, and Stella.

Predeceased by her parents, siblings Blanche, Bill, Robert, and David, nephew Kyle, and her loving husband of 63 years, Mark (2011), Anne is survived by her daughter Debby, son-in-law Doug Walshaw, and grandchildren Geoff and Maddie, who will all miss her dearly and hold many wonderful memories of Anne close to their hearts.

In accordance with Anne’s wishes, no funeral will be held. Interment took place on July 24 at York Cemetery. The family extends their gratitude to all the wonderful staff at Rekai Centre Wellesley Central Place, including Dietitian Ramin, life enrichment staff Millie, nursing staff Janet, Edna, and Poppee, the many PSWs, especially Tenzin, Dechen, and Leander, and Dr. Wong. We feel incredibly lucky that Anne was able to live in such a caring, loving, and safe final home. Thank you to Anne’s caregivers at her retirement home, Hazelton Place, Rose and Maria. A very special thank you to Cetia for supporting Anne and her family during the last chapter of her long, beautiful life.

If desired, charitable donations in Anne's memory may be made to the Rekai Charitable Foundation, 160 Wellesley St. E., Toronto, M4J 1J2. Business No: 852963941RR0001 by cheque, or online via the charity Canada Helps: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/rekai-charitable-foundation/.