Obituary of Mildred Evelyn Colwell

Mildred Evelyn Colwell of Saint John passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at her residence. Born in Saint John on September 15, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Oscar and Marion (Bell) Colwell. Millie worked at Manchester, Robertson and Allison for several years before joining the Saint John Police Force as a switchboard operator, and then in 1966 as one of the first policewomen. As the first women graduates from the Atlantic Police Academy arrived in the early 1970’s, Millie became a Constable, and continued her career with the Saint John Police Force until she retired on March 1, 1983. Always active in her community, Millie volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Saint John Regional Hospital Auxiliary. She was a member of Germain Street Baptist Church and the Women’s Missionary Society, and was a life member of the Saint John Police Force Retired Members Association. In her spare time, Millie loved to travel, taking many trips with her good friend, Hazel McNamara. After she retired, she enjoyed travelling to such places as Western Canada, nearly every country in Europe, and also to Russia, Fiji, Australia and New Zealand. Her cruises took her to the Great Lakes, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, New York, and Alaska, and one especially exciting cruise through the Panama Canal. She also enjoyed spending time with special friends Barb and Bruce Munroe in Florida through the holiday season. Millie was an only child, and is survived by several cousins in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and British Columbia, as well as several close friends in the Saint John area, including her very close friends Janet Holt (Rick McFarlane), Mil Gregory (Sandy), and other members of the "Hen Party" with whom she enjoyed celebrating many birthdays; and Jack Nielsen (Bette). Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 2:00 PM from Brenan’s Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will take place in Fernhill Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to any charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family. Please place online condolences and remembrances at www.BrenansFH.com.