Sept 30, 1937 – October 8, 2020
Shortly after celebrating her 83rd birthday, Millie Anderson (nee Sawkins) passed away peacefully with family by her bedside.
Mil was predeceased by her loving husband Randall Anderson, her parents Harold and Kathleen (nee Ridley) Sawkins, her brother Alfred Sawkins, sister-in-law Rosellyn (nee Poland) Sawkins, parents-in-law Fred and Nellie (nee Lindstrom) Anderson, brother-in-law Lyle Anderson as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Mourning her passing are her daughter Kathy (Pierre) and “granddog” Paisley, her son Fred (BJ), granddaughter Reagan and “grandcat” Simon, brother-in-law Glen (Georgina) Anderson, sister-in-law Wendy Anderson, nieces Diane (John) Anderson, Shelley Anderson, Tracey (Stan) Anderson-Kapera, Crystal (Peter) Grande, nephew Dan Anderson.
Mil’s friendship will also be missed by her dear friends, Gwen and Bill Zroback, Pat and Ted Cederwall, Catherine Rowlandson, Eunice (& Louie) Bourcier, Barb West, Lesley Porlier, Sharron and Merv Metail and Linda Johnson.
Millie graduated from Kenora-Keewatin District High School with her diploma in Secretarial Arts. She was employed in office environments which varied from Standard Realty, Ontario Central Airlines, Tourism and Publicity Boards of Ontario and Kenora, The Kenwood Hotel, and The Daily Miner & News. She also taught a basic typing class at Confederation College for a year. Mil officially retired in October 1999 from K&C Prop Shoppe where she was employed as a bookkeeper but was described by the staff as their “office mom and referee”!
One of her fondest memories was of her trip to England to visit her relatives and celebrate her 21st birthday.
Mil married her Swedish sweetheart, Randall Anderson, on May 21, 1966. They were gifted a budgie, Andrew Christopher Thomas, from her uncle who had a bird sanctuary. Their family grew with the birth of their two children, Kathleen (Kathy) Victoria, Ernest Frederick (Fred) and their little dog, Cindi-Lou.
Millie belonged to the congregation of St. Alban’s Anglican Cathedral, where she was involved with several church groups and the youth choir. Later in life, she joined the Altar Guild and worked in the Cathedral office. She delighted in attending teas and bake sales at the various churches around town. Millie was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority and the Kenora Seniors’ Centre. Her years as a Tupperware dealer led to her always being able to find the perfect container to store just about anything! Some of her hobbies included reading, crocheting, knitting, Artex and Tri-Chem paint projects as well as other home crafts. Millie loved to sew, making her own fashions that reflected the times. A treasured gift from Ran was her deluxe Bernina sewing machine, which she used to create many outfits and Halloween costumes for her children.
Mil was an enthusiastic hockey mom and Montreal Canadiens fan. As an avid bowler, she played on several teams with both family and friends. Good times were had travelling around Ontario for Aggregate tournaments with her teams. The highlight of her bowling years was coaching kids in the Youth Bowling Council.
Learning to use email and Facebook allowed her to connect in new ways with her many friends and family members, both Canada-wide and overseas. We will think of her often snuggled in her favourite chair with a cup of tea, watching curling bonspiels or the BBC comedy shows which appealed to her “British” sense of humour.
Millie’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Pinecrest Home (especially those on Unit 1) for their care and support while she was a resident.
A private memorial service will take place at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre with Pastor Cathy Giroux officiating. Interment to follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mil’s memory would be appreciated to a charity of one’s choice.
“As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, with the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:6-8
Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomkenora.com
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