Shirley Ann McMillan

Shirley Ann McMillan (nee Holden) passed away peacefully at the Health Sciences Centre on April 3, 2020. She was born in Winnipeg on November 6, 1929 to Marion Holden (nee Briggs) and Kellet Holden, older sister to Nancy and Pamela.

School years were spent in Crescentwood with time in Ontario and BC. Special family places were the Holden cottage on the Assiniboine River and the Briggs cottage at Ponemah Beach.

Shirley graduated in 1950 from University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Psychology and was appointed Lady Stick in her senior year. During summer breaks, Shirley worked as an elevator operator at the Banff Springs Hotel. After graduation, she spent a year working in London, England and travelled in post-war Europe. This was followed by a human resources position at the Great-West Life Assurance Company in Winnipeg.

In 1952, she married her high school sweetheart John McMillan and the couple was blessed with three children, Linda, Nancy and Scott. Family adventures included boating on the Red River, Thanksgiving picnics in the Interlake, a road trip to Expo '67, ski trips to Mount Agassiz and the Rockies and summers spent at Willard Lake. Shirley and John enjoyed rich friendships, hosting dinner parties and lively music nights.

Courageously rebuilding her life after her marriage ended, in 1974 Shirley re-entered the workforce as a realtor, supporting her children as they completed high school and university. She retired in 1999.

Shirley married Don Muirhead in 1986 and during their nine years together, established loving relationships with his daughters, Linda and Lori. In the 1990s and 2000s Shirley travelled with family and friends to Japan, the UK, Alaska, Banff, New Mexico, Florida and Churchill. She loved family holidays at Willard Lake enjoying bird watching, boating, playing cards and dancing at the cocktail hour.

Shirley served on many boards in Winnipeg; the Junior League, the Manitoba Museum and on the Fort Garry School Division Board of Trustees. She volunteered at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and in her 70s, was a tour guide at the Manitoba Museum.

Shirley was always interested in people and their stories. Her smile and warm conversations resulted in a lifetime of personal connections and many enduring friendships. She valued both the relationships and quality of life she experienced at The Parkway Retirement Community where she had lived since 2014.

Shirley's greatest gift was her love of family. She taught us the importance of kindness and generosity towards others. In later years, she was a compassionate caregiver to her husband Don, her parents and her great-aunt Doris Saunders. She encouraged all of us to be self-sufficient and taught us empathy. Her discussions on current events were insightful, open-minded and often with a sense of humour. Passion for cooking, books, art, music, nature and history contributed to our personal growth. Fort Whyte, Assiniboine Park and Gimli were all favourite outings. A lifelong learner, her memory amazed us.

A breast cancer survivor, Shirley showed us how to be resilient and remain positive. She was brave and determined as she faced her mobility issues. She valued the care she received over many years from Dr. Suffia Ahmad, Dr. Pat Harris and Manitoba CancerCare. Our family acknowledges the kindness and compassion from her HomeCare Coordinator, Jerry Floom and helpers Su and Anna.

In November 2019, Shirley celebrated her 90th birthday. We are thankful for the chance to commemorate her well-lived life on such a joyous occasion.

She is survived by her children, Linda Tait (John), Nancy McMillan (Alan) and Scott McMillan (Janice); her grandchildren, Maren, Claire, Scott, Allison (Patrick), Elfie (Jay), Eric (Deborah) and Carl (Lisa); her great-grandchildren, Colton, Teegan, Joanna, Soren, and Astrid. She is also survived by her sister Pamela Wilcox; her step-daughters, Linda and Lori; her nieces and nephews, Geoff, Tom, Lauren LeBoldus, Michael Villeneuve, Lynda Smercina; cousins, Susan McMillan, Bill Briggs, Sally Bruce, Barb Ateah and their families.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shirley's memory to Fort Whyte Alive, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights or CancerCare Manitoba.