Mrs. Mildred Etta "Millie" Haw Coghill

On Friday, March 12th, 2010, Etta “Mildred” Coghill passed away at Parkway Lodge, Weyburn, SK at the age of 91 years. Predeceased by her parents, Stanley and Emily Haw, her husband, George Coghill, three sisters, Mabel, Luella and Nellie, one brother, Harvey, and a step-son, Dave Coghill.

Mildred will be lovingly remembered by her family: daughter, Marcia (Bruno) Nerenberg of Regina, SK; son, Don (Eileen) Coghill of Lethbridge; step-son, Ron (Eunice) Coghill of Weyburn, SK; step-daughter, Loretta Craib of Saskatoon, SK; five grandchildren: Michael (Mamie), Brent (Pamela), Mark, Ian (Clare), and Stephen; three great grandchildren: Trista, Matthew and Jennifer; brother, Tom (Edna) Haw of Penticton, BC; sister, Lily Coghill of Yorkton, SK; daughter-in-law, Connie Coghill of Assiniboia, SK; and many nieces and nephews.

Etta Mildred Haw was born May 25th, 1918 at Battrum, Saskatchewan, the third child of a family of five girls and two boys. She was born and raised on a prairie farm, and attended a one room school in Battrum, then in 1930 the family moved to Pennant so the children could go to school there, where she took her grades 7 to 12. She worked on the farm, helping with daily milking, stooking and threshing - hard work for a young girl, but she enjoyed life, local dances and the closeness of farm and family life. She worked as a ‘hired’ girl doing housekeeping in Regina from 1937 to 1940, then enrolled in the C.W.A.C. serving from December, 1941 to December 11th, 1945. She was stationed at Maple Creek, Sussex, N.B. and camp Dundern, SK. doing administration and steward work. She was promoted to Cpl. In 1944 until discharge. She then attended the University of Saskatchewan where she took Pharmacy, moving to Yorkton in 1948. On January 28th, 1950, Mildred married George Gunn Coghill at Yorkton, Sask., and she became a step-mother to Loretta, Ron and Dave. She was an active participant in their lives and a proud grandmother to their children. In 1950, she and George started Coghill Electric in Weyburn, Sask. where Mildred worked as the Bookkeeper, lighting consultant, janitor, salesperson, business partner and apprentice electrician all rolled into one. She was a life-time member of the Royal Canadian Legion, where she served as Woman’s Auxiliary President and was very active in their many community projects. She was honoured as War Mother in 1997. Mildred also belonged to the Order of the Royal Purple and Alexandria Rebekah Lodge #14, as well as being a very active Shriner’s wife and involved with local charities like the Diabetes Association and Canadian Cancer Society. Millie’s hands were always busy, and she was extremely creative in her many crafts. She was a very active member with the Art Club as her artistic ability was very well known. She painted from the mid 60’s to 2005 and held several shows in local and Provincial Galleries. She was awarded the several “James Weir” awards for her paintings. Her work hangs in many homes throughout Canada and even in Europe, as well as in the Provincial Legislature. Mildred was involved with the creation of the Weyburn “Wheel” as well as quilting, which she mastered and won a Provincial Award in 1984. She loved to sew and made clothes for herself, family and several others. A very special event in her life was finding her daughter, Marcia in 1984, as Marcia had been given up for adoption in 1941. Millie was a lifelong friend of Rev. John Ferrier and involved with the U.C.C. She loved to travel and she and George travelled by camper across Canada several times along with camping and fishing in northern Saskatchewan. She also took two extensive trips to Europe, exploring castles throughout Germany with her son, Don. Millie was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren and their achievements. For the past five years she was extremely well looked after at Parkway Lodge, where she was not only a resident, but was treated as family. The family would like to give a special Thank-you to: Kendra, Tracy, Linda, Amanda, Evelyn, Shirley, Annette, Karen, Janet, Linda, Diane, Karly, Cindy and Kim.

Funeral Services were held Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church, Weyburn, Sask. with Rev. Ina Golaiy and Rev. John Ferrier officiating. Interment followed in Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn, Sask. The Active Pallbearers were her three grandsons, Ian Coghill, Brent Nerenberg and Duane Coghill, and friends, Brian Pohle, Lars Guenther and Kim Poteur. Honorary Pallbearers were members of the Rebekahs, Royal Purple and the Royal Canadian Legion. Donations in memory of Mildred may be made to the C.N.I.B. Condolences may be given to the family at www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn, Saskatchewan (306-842-5432)