Our beautiful Nana passed away very peacefully with her family at her side on Wednesday, October 5th at Talarico Place in Castlegar, 4 days shy of her 96th birthday.
We all feel so blessed to have had her in our lives for such a very long time. Her family will remember her for her fierce independence, her willingness to never back down when she thought she was right, her amazing sense of humour and her unshakeable love for her family. Nana and Grandpa’s home was always filled with love, music, laughter, endless cups of tea (no milk), cookies and a treat in your pocket for when you said goodbye.
Nana was so looking forward to being reunited with Grandpa and her sister Rose. We know they are celebrating that she has arrived in Heaven. God had better be prepared for a few renos as Nana will surely be trying to tell him how to organize Heaven.
Born in Edgbaston, England on October 9, 1920, Nana crossed the Atlantic Ocean at the age of 7 with her sister Rose and then travelled by train from Quebec City to Rossland to be re-united with her father. Nana had spent 5 years in an orphanage in England after the death of her mother. Her father, Jim Shellard, had immigrated to Canada and finally saved up enough money to bring his children to Rossland.
Nana was very proud of her service as part of the security team at Cominco during the war. She then went on to work at Woolworths in Trail, managed an apartment building in Granisle and a motel in Osoyoos. Her proudest achievement was her 69-year marriage to our grandfather, Steve Reid that lasted until his passing in 2006.
Millie is survived by her daughter, Gladys McCluskey (Charlie) and son Steve Reid, 8 grandchildren; Cliff McCluskey (Tracey), Tammy McLean (Bob), Lori McCluskey, Wendy McCluskey, Stephen Reid (Lori), Colleen Verigin (Leonard), Heather Phillips and Shaunene Reid, 12 great-grandchildren; Jaemae Prochner, Lynden Prochner, Ashlynn Prochner, Michaela McLean, Abbey McLean, Stephanie Reid, Sammy Phillips, Daniel Phillips, Lacey Reid, Lindsay Reid, Justin Vanjoff and Ryan Vanjoff, 2 great-great-grandchildren; Sierra Reid and Jackson Vanjoff and baby boy Bonneteau on the way as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her husband Stephen Reid, daughter-in-law Grace Reid, grandson Roddy Reid, sister Rose McLellan and brother Jim Shellard.
A Celebration of Millie’s long and full life will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 11:00 am at the St. Andrew’s United Church (Red Roof Church) in Rossland with Liz Berglund, Celebrant. Bill Clark of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.
As an expression of sympathy, donations in Millie’s name may be made to the Trail SPCA at 7700 3B Hwy, Trail, BC, V1R 4X2 or online at www.spca.bc.ca
We would like to thank the staff at Talarico Place for providing such a welcoming and caring home for Nana’s last months and days. We cannot say enough about the care that they showed to us as a family during the last few days of her life. We will remember this always. We also want to thank Dr. Merrit, Dr. Bazley and Dr. Sandstrom for their care over the years. For Nana’s many friends at Esling Park Lodge and in the community of Rossland, we thank you, for your kindness to our Nana. We feel so blessed and grateful. Godspeed Nana.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s online register at
www.myalternatives.ca