Beloved wife of the late Gene Lee; dear mother of Don (Violeta) and Greg (Susan); doting grandmother to Alison, Kristina, Kelly, and Catherine; loving sister to Edmund (deceased) (Nell, deceased), Albert (deceased) (Janet), George (Helen), David (Grace), Wilfred (deceased) (Rosa), Lilian (deceased) (Russell), Kathy (Terry, deceased), and Pat (Tom); dear Aunty to many.
Millie was born on June 13, 1934 in Gananoque, ON to Ella and James Lee, the eldest daughter of 9 children. The family owned and operated the James Cafe from 1937 to 1958, where despite long days, the siblings found time for fun and mischief. Chores such as delivering meals to the town jail were recalled with laughter.
Millie came to Toronto in 1952, where she met the love of her life, Gene. They were married in Gananoque in 1955. Gene and Millie lived happily in Toronto raising their two boys until Gene passed away unexpectedly in 1973. With the support of her close-knit family, she restarted her career and carried on as a loving single mother.
Millie worked for 20 years at Statistics Canada, becoming Secretary to the Director. She travelled all over the world with family and friends but returned many times to Gananoque. She delighted in cooking for the family and spending time with her granddaughters. Millie hosted the Lee Family Christmas Eve party for up to 50 people for over 20 years. More than 90 people attended her 80th birthday celebration, a testament to how many adored her.
Millie documented five generations of Lee Family history, leaving us with a family treasure.
Over the past five years, health complications made her life more challenging, but her warm smile, politeness, and generosity never left her. Neither did her love of ice cream, so please enjoy some ice cream in her memory.
We are blessed to have had Millie in our lives. Such wonderful memories – thank you! You will be in our hearts forever.
Our family wishes to thank the staff of Leaside Retirement Residence, North York General Hospital and Sunnybrook Palliative Care Unit for their care provided in Millie’s last year and final days.
Cremation has taken place. Millie’s remains will be placed next to Gene’s in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022, from 4 – 8 pm at Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes, 6191 Yonge St., North York, ON.
In memory of Millie, the family requests that donations be directed to North York General Hospital, or to the Palliative Care Unit of Sunnybrook Hospital.
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