Ann Elizabeth Miller

Ann Elizabeth Miller passed away on October 31st at the age of 82 after a short illness. Born in Berwick on December 21, 1942 to Lillian (Thorpe) and Alfred Rhynold, Ann was deeply proud of her Valley roots where she, her sister Patsy (Grant) Stevens and brother Larry Rhynold (pre-deceased) were raised.

A deeply caring person by nature, it was fitting Ann started her professional career as a nurse, receiving her RN at the Nova Scotia Hospital School of Nursing in Dartmouth in 1967. In 1969 she became one of the first graduates of the Canadian Association School of Occupational Therapy in Kingston, Ontario going on to specialize in mental health. She updated her OT degree in 1990 at University of Manitoba. A lifelong learner, Ann received her Masters of Adult Education at Mount St. Vincent in 2005 and became a CAPS Certified Sommelier in 2011 while in retirement.

Family was the heart and soul of Ann’s world. She met her true sweetheart, Arthur Frederick Miller in Halifax beginning their lifelong journey on July 5, 1969. Adventurers by nature, Annie and Artie moved to Labrador on January 15, 1970 to continue their professional careers and start their family in Labrador City where they lived for over 30 years.

Always with a book in her hand and music in the background, and with an entrepreneurial spirit, Ann opened and operated the “Book Barn and Record Loft” in Lab City for many years. Never one to sit still, she trained and received her Black Belt in Karate and became a lifeguard volunteering at the Wabush pool. She and Art would spend weekends cross-country skiing in the beautiful “Big Land” and travelling back to Nova Scotia each summer to the road trip soundtracks of Air Supply and BJ Thomas on blast.

Ann and Art retired and returned to Nova Scotia in 2000. Continuing their adventures, they travelled the world from Australia, China, South Africa, South America and places in between.

Ann was tremendously proud of and a constant champion of daughters Sharmin Miller-Avery (Don Avery) and Tara Miller (Greg Chiasson), and the grandchildren who followed: Kyanna Miller, Kourtney Miller-Dempsey, Noah Laaouan (Alexys Filion) and Gabrielle Laaouan. Her squad of grandchildren was complete with the arrival of great grandson Wyatt Snow in 2018 and her fur baby Haylee who arrived in December 2024.

Ann embraced the beauty of a blended family, proving that family expands to fit whoever needs it always with love and deep care for Ali, Fatiha, Sheri, Ben and Julia.

Nothing made Ann happier than gatherings at the cottage in River John surrounded by her family and friends. She welcomed everyone with open arms, a sparkle in her eye, a glass of wine, and an unforgettable laugh – the kind that would fill a room and make you feel like you truly belonged. Whether in the kitchen with a cookbook, sitting reading a good book or sharing a new wine find, she created a haven for us all and loved doing it.

Our hearts may ache, but her love remains – woven into who we are, forever her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at J.A. Snow Funeral Home on 339 Lacewood Drive on Thursday, November 6th from 4 to 7pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia in her name.