Eloise Lulia Miller

Eloise Lulia Miller, age 95 passed away on December 4, 2020 at Whitehorn Village, Calgary, AB. Eloise was born to Fred and Lulia Heron at the family farm near Cabri, SK on February 9, 1925. She attended Waldensian Valley School and then teacher’s training, called Normal School, in Moose Jaw. She taught at a one-room school, Fair Hills S.D.3691. Eloise married Max Miller June 30, 1946 and they celebrate 55 years together. They farmed near Stewart Valley until 1990 when they moved into Swift Current.

Mom supplemented the farm income with substitute teaching, teaching piano lessons, raising turkeys to sell, selling cream and eggs. She loved the farm. She was hands-on with all dimensions, planting the shelter belts, running the machinery, hauling grain, growing a big garden with all the care and harvesting that goes with that. Mom eagerly scoped out every new cultivar in the seed catalogues. She enjoyed the challenge of bird identification, looking for their distinguishing features and habits. Mom took pleasure in reading books, writing letters, drawing, and oil painting (one of the founding members of the 55-Plus Art Club). An accomplished seamstress, she particularly enjoyed sewing figure skating costumes for ice carnivals. All of the family have at least one of her colourful, crocheted afghans. Following Dad’s passing, Mom donated ten to twelve afghans each year to the Swift Current Palliser Hospital, while she lived in Swift Current, and then to the Children’s Hospital in Calgary.

Our parents were active volunteers in the Stewart Valley United Church, the North Star 4-H Club, the Southwest Naturalists, and Green Thumb Horticulture Club in Stewart Valley. They curled together in Stewart Valley and always had a deck of cards (or several) ready to host a card party. Mom and Dad felt lucky to experience destinations throughout North America and internationally, typically travelling with some of the neighbours from the Valley.

In 2006, Mom moved to Calgary and in February 2007 into Whitehorn Village Residence where she continued to make friends, participating in the recreation programs, and enjoying every opportunity to spend time with Colin and Donna and their families. As a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, auntie, friend, and teacher, Mom touched so many lives; a role model for life-long-learning, as a steward of creation, and with her perpetual attitude of gratitude.

Eloise is survived by two children, son Colin (Laureen), granddaughter Leslie (Neil) and grandson Nickolas (Nikki and Seamus); daughter Donna (John), granddaughter Rebecca (Eriberto) and great granddaughter Abril; granddaughter Alison (Matt) and great grandson Evan; grandson David. Eloise is also survived by two sisters, Ruby Wengel and Edith Thomas; and two sisters-in-law, Isabelle Heron and Carole Heron and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Max in 2001, brothers Clayton, Daryl, Glenn and Fulton and sisters Muriel and Frieda; brothers-in-law Chris Hesketh, Bud Allen, George Thomas, Ernest Wengel and Dan Olfert; sisters-in-law Ruth Heron, Lorraine Heron and Evelyn Olfert.

An in-person celebration of Eloise’s life will be held when we are all able to gather together again.

Eloise Miller simply loved all of the Whitehorn Village staff and her neighbours, near and far. From Eloise’s family, our hearty thanks for all the love and support for our Mom during her fourteen years in Calgary, calling Whitehorn Village home. And to Dr. Gregory Skinner, our gratitude for your care and personal attention to Mom’s evolving needs. If so desired, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Wildlife Federation. https://www.cwf-fcf.org

Calgary arrangements c/o Pierson’s Funeral Service Ltd; Swift Current arrangements c/o Warren’s Funeral Home.