Obituaries

MONA (RONA) VERONICA MILLS

M.B   Ch.B  D.A

November 24,1939 – May 14, 2018

Finally at peace, a few hours past Mother’s Day and the Feast of the Ascension, Rona, aged 78, passed away on May 14, 2018 at the Grace General Hospital, after a progressive illness.

Left to cherish Rona’s memory forever are her husband Barry; daughters Cressida and Eleanor (Jeremy); grandchildren Olivia, Isabella and Amelia; brother Wyn Lewis; sister Eileen (Keith); nieces Kirsty (Richard), Naomi and their families all from England. Also grieving are her sister in law Helen (Winston) in Auckland, New Zealand. She was predeceased by her mother Winifred and father Robert Ifor Lewis; infant sister Eleanor Ann; niece Helen Sykes and her beloved son Damian.

Rona was born on November 24,1939 in Heswall, the Wirral, England. She graduated from Birkenhead High School in 1956 with a Trust Scholarship and graduated in Medicine in 1964. She worked at the Royal Free Hospital, St. Mary’s and Edgeware Hospitals in London, England where she met her future husband Barry while doing Anaesthesia. They were married in Auckland, NZ in 1970 and Rona worked in General Medical Practice until 1972 when she had her daughter, Cressida.

Prior to this time, the Vietnam War was world news and the effect on the children was constantly on Rona’s mind. She wanted to do so much to help a child. With dogged determination, she started making contact with the Sacred Heart Orphanage in Da Nang, Vietnam, and approached the NZ Government for adoption permission. After four years of painstaking work, there was final resolution and Eleanor arrived in Auckland, under the protection of Maree Johnson, two days before Saigon fell in April 1975. She was the first child of that particular war to enter New Zealand.

With two young daughters now, Rona suggested a move to Canada- a new adventure-and to be closer to her family in England. The family arrived in Deloraine, Manitoba in February 1977 and it was there many lifelong friendships were established. Rona became very, much part of the community in a variety of ways. A memorable contribution involved her hard work along with other women in the community in opening a library.  An even more memorable event during that time was the birth of her son Damian in 1979.

The family then moved to Winnipeg, MB in 1983. Rona always felt that education and sports involvement were important. She was a regular volunteer at the former St. Charles Academy and in later years became a founding member of the Damian Mills Junior Cricket Foundation. Rona also became very involved at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Her faith was her foundation. She taught Catechism and for 25 years, as a member of the Human Concerns Committee, spearheaded the Christmas hampers, volunteered at Immaculate Conception Drop-In, spent countless hours helping with the annual garage sale and contributed most generously to the Christmas Craft Sale and Mother’s Day bake tables. Rona had an acute awareness and empathy towards anyone who was suffering be it through poverty, illness, loneliness or any sort of emotional strife. Her loving approach towards people, her wisdom in helping with everyday difficulties came naturally to her. It was with much humility that she accepted the Pope’s Apostolic Blessing in 2014.

Rona was a person with many talents and interests. She was well versed in world events and issues, loved a good book and enjoyed attending the theatre and symphony.  She had a way with words, often expressing her thoughts and feelings through letters to the editorial section of the paper and through her beautiful poetry.  She was a whiz at crosswords, an excellent sewer and knitter and a wonderful cook and baker.  Over the years she traveled quite extensively and had many happy memories from these adventures. Although Rona lived at a distance from her family in England she was faithful to them through visits and regular emails and phone calls. Her grandchildren live across the country also but were always in her heart. She loved them all dearly. Communication was her specialty. Many a person was fortunate to receive her cards and gifts. She never missed a special occasion.

Our family has lost a gracious and caring wife, Mum, Nanny, sister, sister in law, aunt and friend. We will miss her presence immensely but are comforted in knowing she is reunited with family members who have gone before her, especially her son Damian.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday May 23, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 2400 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB with Rev. Msgr. Ward Jamieson presiding. Reception to follow in the lower parish hall and Entombment will follow at Queen of Heaven Mausoleum Assumption Roman Catholic Cemetery 3990 Portage Avenue. Pallbearers will be Keith Sykes, Jeremy Silver, Dennis Basso, Ray Ramrattan, Barry Tobin, Gerry DeBeer, Bill Galbraith, and Frank Barnes.

Our gratitude goes to the many medical specialists who were involved with her care in the past year and to the Home Care nurses who made their daily visits and brightened her day. Our sincere thanks also to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and the Emergency and ICU Staff at the Grace Hospital.  Everyone’s care, understanding and compassion for Rona was very much appreciated. We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of sympathy and loving support from so many. We thank Wojcik’s Funeral Chapel for their guidance and direction.

As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donation in Rona’s memory may be made to: Scleroderma Association of Manitoba Inc., 22 Silverdale Cres. Winnipeg, Manitoba R2N 1B1, Sjogren’s Society of Canada, 304 – 31 Mechanic Street, Paris, Ontario N3L 1K1, or a charity of one’s choice.

Wojcik’s Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com