Obituary of Margaret Anne Mills
We mark and celebrate the life of Margaret Anne "Peggy" Mils on her passing April 2nd, 2024, at the Dr. V.A. Snow Centre in Hampton, NB. Peggy was born in Halifax NS, on October 20, 1937, to Harold and Ethel (Kay) Mills and grew up with her 3 rambunctious brothers on the Saint John West side.
Adventurous from an early age, she traveled extensively across Canada, Europe, Middle East, and South America during the 50s and 60s - unusual for a young woman at the time – but then, Peggy tended to buck convention throughout her life.
Peggy earned her teaching certificate from the New Brunswick government, and leaning on her love of travel and independence, after teaching briefly at several schools in the Saint John area, she was away to teaching positions in Toronto, then France and Guyana, before returning to New Brunswick, where she taught at King Edward School and Island View Elementary School in Saint John for a further 20 years. Peggy's rapport with her young students, and the respect with which she treated everyone, is fondly remembered and treasured.
Ever inquisitive of and in tune with emerging trends in education and technology, Peggy returned to school in 1985 where she earned a Masters' degree in the then nascent field of Computer Science, from Lesley College in Cambridge, MA. Relatives will remember that room at home full of computers and software and manuals, and her love of the occasional video game too.
Following her retirement from teaching in 1992, Peggy continued to explore and share her love of travel and took numerous road trips in her blue and white Dodge camper van across Canada, Northeastern US, and the Maritimes. We all have a wealth of memories of riding and camping in that van! She also made several return visits to Europe.
In her later years Peggy slowed her pace down just a little bit, focusing on her 'never quite finished' backyard garden in Quispamsis and the pitched battles with the deer therein, long drives around southern New Brunswick, and daily 10 kms on her indoor bike. She was always gracious with visiting nieces and nephews, and freely doled out an (itemized!) assortment of treats and snacks and drinks that were on offer with a visit.
In her final years, Peggy endured a heartbreaking journey as Alzheimer's disease robbed her of her vibrancy and freedom, both physical and mental, deeply saddening al who knew and loved her. Though the disease may have stolen her memories and taken her away from us, the legacy of her joy, her kindness, her capacity for adventure and sheer curiosity and wonder, will live on in the hearts of those she touched.
She is survived by her three brothers Laurie (Margaret), Donald (Verna), Robert (Audrey) and fondly missed by her nieces and nephews.
Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (506-634-7424), it was Peggy's resolute wish that there be no visitation or funeral ceremonies - she was never one to make a fuss about such things - Instead, we ask that you consider making a donation in her honour to a charity of your choice.
