RUTH EMSLIE MILLS

MILLS, RUTH EMSLIE On April 27, 2022, in her 93rd year, at Chartwell Long Term Care, Aurora, Ontario, Ruth Evelyn Emslie, formerly of Sherbrooke and Lachine, Quebec, mother to Laurie Mills O'Dell (Roger), Scarborough, and Cameron Mills (Janice Love), King City. Missing Grandma Ruth are her grandchildren: Heather Colasuonno (Anthony), Ajax, Ontario; Hayley O'Dell (Tristan Whittall), Calgary Alberta; Amy Mills, her fiancé Bill Boyd; and Alanna Mills, Guelph; and Craig Mills, King City. "GG" leaves her great-grandchildren, Navarro and Ceres Colasuonno, Ajax; and Keira Whittall, Calgary, Alberta. Ruth was widowed as a young mother, age 36, predeceased by her husband, Charles Geoffrey Mills Jr., P.Eng (McGill, Mechanical Engineering '46, died 1965, age 42), son of Charles Geoffrey Mills Sr. (Huddersfield, England and Trois Rivieres. Quebec), and Gladys Parr Sheppard (Rosedale, Toronto, Ontario); by her brother, William Duncan Emslie (2011); by brothers-in-law, Donald Hague Mills (2003), and Rodney Sheppard Mills (2004); and by her parents, Fred William Emslie and Nell Duncan, Sherbrooke and Lennoxville, Quebec (formerly of Woodside, Aberdeen, Scotland, immigrated 1911). Ruth is remembered by her cousins, Marylu Guy, Lois Plante and Skip Blake, Waterbury, Vermont; by sisters-in-law, Margaret Coombs Emslie and Liane Leah Mills (Michael O'Toole), Thornhill, Ontario; and, by two nieces and five nephews. As a child, she earned grade ten piano, studied voice, and acquired full French fluency playing with her Sherbrooke neighbourhood friends. She delivered The Sherbrooke Record newspaper via bicycle at age 12, and at 18, became a switchboard operator at Sherbrooke Bell, where she met Charlie (aka Chuckie). Newly built 53rd Avenue, Lachine, west island Montreal, was home for 15 years after their marriage in 1950. Doris Cullen (1978) and Ann Shepherd (2017) became treasured friends. In 1958 she became a thirteen year Scottish Highland Dance Mom, acting as awards convenor with the Montreal Highland Dancing Association, and, driving to practices, shows, competitions and Scottish Highland Games all over Ontario, Quebec and New York state. "Keep Fit" classes were a favourite pastime at McGill, west island campus, and of course, singing soprano solos (Handel's Messiah and various Vivaldi pieces were her favourites) at St. Andrew's United Church, 15th Avenue, Lachine, Quebec. Ruth moved to Ontario at 38, working at metal factories and at several Newmarket and Aurora long term care facilities for the next 27 years. Retirement to Fairy Lake Gardens apartments followed, where she played darts, bowled and swam nearby. Coronation Street, Border Patrol and Tour de France were favourite TV shows, and she loved driving her precious dogs to Dairy Queen for vanilla ice cream cones, and purchasing every exclusive skin cream on the market. Laddie and Bonnie were cherished childhood collies; her numerous spaniels, beagles and cats all enjoyed an idyllic existence. Animal shelter worker was her dream job, but, her home would have become the shelter; at one point she owned three cats and three dogs. Electrolux vacuum salesmen discovered a valued client, as pet hair eradication became a major challenge for years to come! Remembering Ruth are Peggy Garfit, Newmarket, Joan Annandale, Cambridge, Jean Flooryp, Barrie, Annette Pivnick, Toronto, and, many Fairy Lake dart club, social tea and bowling friends. We sincerely thank the professional and compassionate staff at Aurora Chartwell Long Term Care, 32 Mill Street, Aurora, Mill One - that made Ruth's last four years pleasant and comfortable; we appreciate your dedication, courage and perseverance while facing unimaginable obstacles. Your days are always challenging, and we appreciate your unwavering devotion to the residents. It is extremely difficult to develop relationships with residents and then have to say goodbye; those working in long term care are very special people. Ruth was very lucky to have been admitted here, enjoying exemplary daily care. Should you wish to honour Ruth: 1) Chartwell Aurora Family Council - please mail paper cheques, payable to Family Council, to Chartwell Aurora Long Term Care, 32 Mill Street, Aurora, ON L4G 2R9, noting "attention Family Council" on the envelope. Tax receipts cannot be provided as this is not a registered charity. 2) Ontario SPCA, at ontariospca.ca for online donations. donate@ontariospca.ca Paper donations - Ontario SPCA Provincial Office, 16586 Woodbine Avenue, Stouffville, ON L4A 2W3. 1-888-668-7722, ext 321. Messages of condolence may be left at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com. Cremation has taken place; after 57 years, Ruth will finally join Charlie at Rideau Memorial Gardens, 4275 boul. des Sources, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec H9B 2A6. There will be no service due to Covid-19. To remember Ruth, find Handel's Messiah online, Part II No.20, or, Vivaldi's Gloria in D Major RV589:I Gloria in excelsis Deo, both by Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra. Listen, sing along and be inspired!