Pauline MacMillan

Pauline passed away peacefully at Comox Valley Regional Hospital with her children by her side. We are heartbroken by the sudden loss of our mom and grateful for all the wonderful, laughter-filled memories we have of her. Family was the heart of her life and her greatest joy. A week prior to her death, Pauline and all her kids attended a family wedding in Prince George. It was a beautiful celebration, and she had a wonderful time – she even danced the chicken dance! She also recently celebrated the first birthday of her great-grandson, Ben.

Pauline was born in the small French-speaking farming community of Jackfish Lake, Saskatchewan, to parents Peter and Alice. She moved with her family to New Westminster, BC, as a young child. Pauline often told the story of her first day of school in New Westminster, when she stood on the schoolyard with her arms wrapped around her sister Lea, both of them sobbing because they couldn’t speak English like all the other kids. Shortly after, the family settled in Ladysmith. Pauline graduated from Ladysmith High School in 1954 and went on to attend St. Joseph’s Nursing School in Victoria, graduating in 1957. Pauline began her nursing career in California and Alaska before returning to British Columbia to work as a nurse at the newly built hospital in Chilliwack. The friends she made in nursing school became lifelong friends, and she enjoyed attending many St. Joseph’s reunions over the years.

On New Year’s Eve 1958, at a dance in Lake Cowichan, Pauline met her future husband, Ken. The two were married on August 27, 1960, and had four children – Cheryl, Andrea, Laurie, and Steven. Together, they built a life that took them to Nanaimo, Victoria, Gordon River, Lake Cowichan, Mesachie Lake, and eventually Prince George, where they built their dream home, a beautiful log house designed by their daughter Cheryl. Just a week before her passing, Pauline was able to visit that home once again and enjoy the memories of what they had built together. Once all their kids had left home, Pauline and Ken moved back to Vancouver Island and settled in Black Creek, where they managed the Saratoga Beach Trailer Park together until Ken’s death in 2017. The following year, Pauline moved to the Kiwanis Village in Courtenay and continued to enjoy a busy social life with her many friends right up until her death.

Pauline resumed her nursing career in the late 1970s, working in long-term care at Simon Fraser Lodge, and at Prince George Regional Hospital as both a pediatric nurse and a labour and delivery nurse. She helped bring hundreds of babies, and endless amounts of joy, into the world. In her 50s, Pauline switched careers and became a registered massage therapist after two years of study at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in Vancouver. She worked as an RMT in Courtenay until her retirement.

Pauline was not only a dedicated professional but also a vibrant member of her community. She was an active member of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) for over six decades, beginning in 1963. In Lake Cowichan, she was a member of the Kinettes and an active supporter of the figure skating club. Pauline volunteered as a peer counsellor at the Comox Valley Nursing Centre and used her sewing skills to support Canada Comforts, an organization that supplies handmade clothes and toys to children whose lives have been impacted by war. Pauline was also an avid bridge player, attending weekly games for many years.

Pauline was predeceased by her husband, Ken, daughter Cheryl, and granddaughter Christie. She is survived by her loving children Andrea (Marty), Laurie (Darby), and Steven (Charlene), son-in-laws Peter and Joe (Marnie), grandchildren Ken (Megan), Jessalyn, Aaron (April), Lindsay (Jerome), Zach, Kendall, Hailee, Nathan (Carly), Leah (Dan), Neil, and great-grandson Ben.

A memorial mass will be held on Friday, September 27 at 11 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1599 Tunner Dr., Courtenay, and live-streamed at www.youtube.com/@christthekingcomoxvalley

Mass will be followed by a reception at 12 p.m. in the church hall.

Pauline’s family would like to express their gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and care aides in the CVRH Emergency department and Unit 3B for their care and compassion during Pauline’s last days. Donations to the Comox Valley Hospital Foundation in Pauline’s memory are gratefully appreciated.