Millie "Mildred" Mary Markvardsen (née Smith)

Our Mom, Millie, who was our tune cranker, wine enjoyer, lead-foot driver, prank puller, dance party starter, Lipstick Queen, passed away, after a life well lived, on September 10, 2025, in White Rock, B.C.

Millie was born December 1, 1935 to the late Pitt and Leola Dale (Veinot) Smith, in Pleasant River, Nova Scotia. She loved her place in the family as the middle of five siblings—with two big brothers, Roman and Randy (predeceased), who taught her the art of mischief, and two little sisters, Eleanor (predeceased) and surviving sister Shirley, who sparked her joy of being bossy. She grew up on the family farm, which is still the heartbeat of many a gathering. It’s a place that raised her to know the importance of rolling up your sleeves, getting your hands dirty and, above all else, loving your family. By the time she left the farm for the big city of Halifax, she had become the strong, independent, sassy woman that would carry her through the rest of her life.

Every good story starts with Millie. And her story is one for the books (fitting for such a smile-flashing movie star).

Millie loved adventure and at 22, she said ‘yes’ to a ring accompanying a plane ticket in the mail to marry Ken Markvardsen and begin many happy years spent in British Columbia. After nearly 50 years by the mountains, she yearned for the east coast and came home to her roots where she spent a decade with the first boy she ever loved, Warren Wentzell, until the day he died. Millie was always torn between two coasts and in 2020 moved back to White Rock where she spent the last few years of her life.

Millie lived for her family. She is survived by sister Shirley (Ken) Frank, brother-in-law Louie Frank; son Cedric (Sue) Smith, daughters Ann (Luke) Whiting, Lorna (Jim) Horcoff, and Cindy (Al) Dietrich; seven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren, and many treasured nieces and nephews.

Millie adored her friends. She is survived by lifelong best friend Nora (Stan) Gomes, who was her kindred spirit and the greatest secret keeper of all time. Theirs was the kind of friendship that still made room for weekly sleepovers even well into their eighties.

Millie is also survived by dear friends Joan C, Keiko and Sandi (chief partner in mischief). And she deeply missed friends, Joan P, Rose C, Rose A and Lil, all of whom passed before her.

Millie lived a life full of laughter. With her big personality, sparkly eyes and “interesting” vocabulary, everyone was drawn to her. She loved bright colours, pink lipstick and being the first on and last one to leave a dance floor.

Age did not define Millie. Even towards the end of her life, she always had a glass of wine at the ready, a boyfriend on the go, and a few choice words if she felt inclined to share a piece of her mind. She was proud of her unruly nature, “having a mouth and knowing how to use it” and would be a self-proclaimed “wild woman 'til the day I drop”. ❤️💄💋 

She was Mom to many. And her kind heart believed there was always more room at the table. That no matter how full of love one’s heart could be, there was always room for more.

A very special thanks to the staff and residents of Peace Portal Senior’s Village in White Rock for their care and comfort.

There will be a celebration of life on the east coast in November in Pleasant River, N.S., and on the west coast in December in White Rock, B.C.