Mildred Irene Williams, better known as "Millie", was born to John and Alma Willams on Friday March 31 1922 in Fernie, BC, where she was raised. Millie was the youngest of five children in the Williams family.

Growing up in Fernie began Mom's love of the outdoors. She told us of many stories of climbing mountains to pick flowers, with the most interesting story being of swimming in the Elk River. Millie would describe, "we would jump from a pier into cold crystal clear water - come up numb and then our bodies felt warm - we would swim downstream under the bridge - maybe 4-5 miles and my friends and I would walk home along the highway".

Millie graduated from high school in 1941 in Fernie, then went on to Garbutt Business College. Later, she joined the R.C.A.F., was posted to Gander Newfoundland, and her future husband Tom. After they were discharged, they settled in Dawson Creek with the first two of their three children Charlene and Garry, Cindy showing up late as usual.

Millie worked alongside Tom at the Alberta Poultry Marketers when they first came to Dawson and later started as a secretary at the South Peace United Church. This became less of a job and more of a career that lasted for 32 years. She was an active member of the church and it played a large role in her life leading to being a more active member of the community. Millie earned a lifetime membership with the U.C.W. and the Sons of Norway. She was also a member of the Girl Guides for 55 years and earned a life time membership there as well.

Alongside her love for church and community, her great pride lay with family. Millie felt blessed with her three children, her seven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and their families and never ceased to maintain some degree of contact with them, no matter how distant they may be. It was her great concern to try not to let geography become a factor where family was concerned, whether it be Tom's extended family or hers. After all family was family, you didn't necessarily have to be related.

Millie always loved the outdoors fishing and camping whether it be with family or Guides. She very much enjoyed helping Tom drive and show their Welsh ponies where ever the circuit would take them, developing friendships that would last a life time. Along with volunteering and baking it all led to a rich and fulfilling life and one could aspire to, but it all came to an end last Monday when she fell asleep forever with family by her side.

Millie was predeceased by her husband Tom, her parents as well as her brothers and sisters. She is survived by children Charlene (Lindsey), Garry (Marie), and Cindy (Terry), her grandchildren Lori (Heath), Deirdre (Todd), Candace (Taras), Kim, Curtis (Tracy), Mike (Ashley) and Brett (Aiesha) her great grandchildren Maddison, Joshua, Blaine, Jared, Emily, Aislyn, Jaydah, Liam, Callum, Tavyn, Marlea, Garrin, and Anndra.

There are never words nor time enough to do justice to a life, but Millie left us enough memories so that every time we think of her, we honor her. We may no longer see Millie but each of us has shared moments to recall and we can all be grateful for having known her.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pouce Coupe Care Home and Rotary Manor for the wonderful care they gave Millie.

Thank you to Elizabeth Gillott for officiating and the organist, Merrill Flewelling, mom always enjoyed listening to you play. Thank you to the U.C.W. for the luncheon, the Girl Guides for their baking, the staff at Bergeron Funeral Home and all our friends and extended family who brought food and flowers. Everyone's support and kindness was very much appreciated during this difficult time.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd.