Britta Miller

Britta Miller (nee Reefschlaeger) was born on June 17, 1956 in Wensebrock, Germany. She lived to be 61 years old and passed away on August 17, 2017 surrounded with the love of her husband, son, and daughter-in-law. She is predeceased by her sister Annelie (2002), brother Gerry (2004), father Ernst (2006), mother Aina (2007), and precious granddaughter Blake (2016). Britta leaves behind her husband Ron, her son Thomas, her daughter-in-law Amanda, her brother Arno (Sandra), many brother and sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews, relatives in Germany, and a countless number of loving friends.

Born to Ernst and Aina Reefschlaeger in Germany 61 years ago, Britta was third in line of four children. At the age of 10 the family moved to Edmonton, Alberta on the heels of newly emigrated Gerry (the eldest son) who had the adventurous will to journey on to Canada in his late teens. After six years the whole family moved to Kelowna, BC where Britta (then 16) completed her high school years, made lasting relationships, and began a career in banking.

In the spring of 1979 Britta moved to White Rock and then shortly thereafter to Vancouver where she met Ron and fell in love. They married on July 31, 1982. Brother Gerry, a builder/developer, hammered the first stake into the grounds of their new home in White Rock in 1983. One year later their family would be complete with the addition of their little guy, Thomas, on September 7. He was the feather in their cap!

Britta had many skills and talents but here are just a few. She was a wonderful cook, especially of traditional German cuisine like rouladen, kassler, and cabbage rolls. She was also great at baking goodies like German tortes and her famous golden buns right out of the oven! She absolutely loved scrapbooking and had a knack for adding her professional flare. Part of the fun was the time she had with her best girlfriends enjoying scrapbooking weekends with wine and food. Britta also spent a lot of time at the ice arena, watching and supporting Thomas and Ron’s love of hockey. Along with spending time at the rink for Thomas and Ron, she also became somewhat of a “hockey mum” to many adolescent billet boys over the years as well.

Britta had a great love of animals. Her cats Zoe and Izzy, earlier dogs Pep and Stacie, and earlier cats Max, Sophie, and Lucy were always loved and cared for. Her love of animals didn’t stop there though. She was a big supporter of the SPCA and animal shelters, often re-posting “Missing Pet” announcements on her Facebook page. Britta was an animal lover of all kinds. She also loved country music as it had a place in her heart, and a good cup of coffee was always a must every morning. Even on days when she wasn’t feeling well (because of treatment) and could hardly stomach anything, coffee in the morning was still a crucial part of the day.

Girl’s weekends away kept Britta lively with planning and executing annual trips with the ladies that she loved most. She planned her own 60th birthday weekend at Harrison Hot Springs. Two months before her passing, on her 61st birthday, her close friend hosted a girl’s weekend where (as unwell as Britta was then) they all celebrated with laughter, special hats, food and pedicures. A time never to be forgotten. Along with birthday events with friends, Britta also planned and celebrated events at her last workplace, Corrections Canada. She had a gift for organizing birthdays, showers, and Eat-Around-The-World events.

Britta also loved to travel. Britta and Ron made trips to Tofino, Hawaii, the Oregon Coast and Mexico in the last few years. These were all fantastic but the trip back to Germany in 2012 was the big one. It was Britta’s first trip there in roughly 40 years and Ron’s first ever.

Britta loved many things and many people but nothing more than time with her family. Eating meals, relishing a drink, playing board games and just enjoying conversations and time with Ron, Thomas, and Amanda were always appreciated and will always be cherished by all of them.

Maybe Britta’s greatest talent of all was being a grandmother to her beautiful granddaughter Blake. They only got an all-too-short 16 months together but Blake and Britta both loved their time with one another very much. Even when Britta was not feeling well from her various treatments, she still found time to be with Blake and the family while they were at BC Children’s Hospital as much as she possibly could. Blake loved her Omi and she was lucky to have her as a grandmother.

Britta was a kind and generous soul and had been through a lot in her life. Here are some of Britta’s words that I think we all could learn from. “The greatest gift you can give for Christmas is……a kiss, a hug, forgiveness, a second chance, an apology, friendship, love……or all of the above.”

Here is a poem that a close friend of Britta’s wrote that I think can provide some form of solace for all of us that miss her:

Twinkle, twinkle little star

We know you’re there Blake, not too far

Your Omi’s with you, this we know

She loved you so much and missed you so

That void you left inside our hearts

Will never go away

But it gives us comfort knowing that

You’re together every day

We mourn not one, but two of you

How much loss can a family take?

Your pain is gone but your love shines on

In our hearts, dear Britta and Blake

- Lynn De Jongh

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation or the BC SPCA in Britta’s honour.

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Funeral Home, Abbotsford, BC.