Elsie passed away peacefully at Hilltop House in Squamish, BC on November 25, 2012 with her children by her side.
Predeceased by her parents and siblings. Predeceased by her loving husband, Donald Paul Miller, in 1993.
Survived by her daughters: Linda (Don) Thompson, of Port Alberni, BC; Janet Miller (Philip Purnell) of Black Creek, BC; Selma Miller (Doug Schuk) of Tatlayoko Lake, BC; and son Bruce (Brenda) Miller of Pemberton, BC.
Grandchildren: Sandy, Lee, Katie, and Lindsay Thompson; Emma and Joel Miller Tansley; Meghan and Lia Padgett; Will, Sean, Ronie, Jessie and Liam Miller. Great grandchildren: Caiden, Savannah, Dustin, Mikayla, Maria, Molly and Owen.
Elsie was born April 15, 1924 to Ella Abigail (Guild) and Charles Edmison Glover in Moose Jaw, SK. Sister to Truman, Charlotte, Mabel, Mary, Stella and Elwood.
Elsie moved with her family to Penticton during the Depression. In 1943 she joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and made many life-long friends. Elsie was stationed in Rockcliffe, ON, Claresholm, AB, Sea Island and the Boundary Bay Airfield in BC. While enlisted Elsie and two girlfriends hitchhiked in uniform from Vancouver to San Francisco. She was discharged in 1945 and then entered nurses training at Woodland’s Hospital in New Westminster, BC.
Ethel Ronayne, a dear friend from the Air Force, introduced Elsie to Donald Miller, a cousin from Pemberton. Elsie and Don were married on February 21, 1950 in New Westminster and moved to the family farm in Pemberton where they grew potatoes and raised beef cattle.
Elsie was committed to community work and was a long standing member of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Women’s Institute, the Pemberton Valley Museum, and the United Church of Canada.
There was no community event that Elsie was not happy to attend. She could throw a picnic together at the drop of a hat, abandoning the dishes in the sink for a drive to the Birkenhead River, Gates Lake or up the Valley. Elsie loved the rich soft soil of Pemberton, her flowers and garden. She loved to visit and welcomed everyone to her home, friends and strangers alike. She made many dolls and teddy bears for hospitals and charities. Her love of singing and music, from hymns to old cowboy songs from her childhood, brought her joy her entire life.
Elsie will be remembered by her family and many dear friends for her adventurous spirit and delightfully cheerful disposition.
A Celebration of Life for Elsie will be held at St. David’s United Church in Pemberton, BC at 1:30 pm on Saturday, June 22, 2013. A reception will follow at the Pemberton Vineyard Lodge on Collins Road. Elsie’s family is pleased to extend this invitation to her many friends and we look forward to visiting and reminiscing with all who can attend.