Denise MacMillan (Ketcheson)

Denise had a large personality and the gift of the gab! Always very flamboyant, opinionated and feisty. She loved jewelry, colorful clothes and unique décor. She loved her dogs.

Denise graduated with a degree in pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan and worked in that field until she found her passion in costuming and costume design.

She began her design/teaching career at the University of Regina in the theatre department as an assistant professor teaching costume design and construction. Denise designed costumes for many productions, including at the Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Opera, and researched and designed the period uniforms and costumes for Government House in Regina – this was her pride and joy. She also supervised her student’s practicums. Denise mentored numerous students over her career, many of whom have had successful careers in design for theatre, film and television. Former students say the ‘dragon lady ‘was a tough professor’ and her costume construction class, which students agreed, was brutal. It is still talked about today.

Denise was very interested in family history, especially the MacMillan/McMillan side. She had researched many generations and had lots of stories about her ancestors. Denise and Ken McMillan were 1st cousins. There was a mystery about why her branch of the family spelled the last name MacMillan and why Ken’s branch of the family spelled it McMillan. The family name was in fact McMillan, however – Denise’s Dad, Roy, wanted to join the forces in WW1 but was not old enough. He lied about his age and the spelling of his name in order to enlist. From then on, ‘they’ were Mac’s and ‘we’ remained Mc’s.

Denise was predeceased by her beloved husband, George Fathers in 2014. She is survived by her daughters, Maureen and Meaghan Ketcheson; grandchildren: Hannah, Jake, Julia and Paul and by George’s children Daniel and Emma Louise Fathers.

The University of Regina lowered their flags on November 20, 2025 in honour of Denise's contributions to the theatre department.

At Denise’s request, her ashes and her mother’s ashes will be taken to England to be buried with George’s ashes. As there will be no service, if you so wish you may make a donation in Denise’s memory, it may be made to the University of Regina Theatre Department, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, [email protected] or to the Wolseley & District Health Foundation, Box 134, Wolseley, SK, S0G 5H0 with Residents Activity Fund in the memo line.

The family would like to thank the staff and care aides in the Lakeside Home in Wolseley for the compassionate care given to Denise over the last number of years.