Obituary of Mary Olive Miller

MARY OLIVE MILLER Mary Olive Miller passed away peacefully on Friday, January 22, 2016 at the age of 93 years. Predeceased by her husband Del Miller; parents, Oliver and Alice (nee Kyle) Cherition; sister Lorna Garrett; and brother-in-law Gillis Miller. Olive is survived by her sons, George (Tanis) of Calgary, AB and Ross (Danielle); three grandchildren, Oliver, Lucie and Alice of Ottawa, ON; sister-in-law Joyce Miller of Regina; brothers, Ross (Muriel) Cheriton of Edmonton, AB, Camon Cheriton of Toronto, ON; sister Joyce (Bob) Peterson of Powell River, BC; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Olive was born on August 18, 1922, and raised on the Cheriton family farm (known for many years by the big white letters "Cheriton Farm" painted on the red barn) just a couple of miles south of Assiniboia, Saskatchewan. Olive attended high school in Assiniboia where she met and befriended her future sister-in-law Joyce Miller. She studied at Moose Jaw Normal School in 1941-44 (later renamed the Saskatchewan Teacher's College), obtaining her permanent first teaching certification in 1944 and superior certification in 1950. Olive taught at a variety of schools across the province, including Hepworth and Grand Meadow school district (Readlyn 1943-44), Congress, Moosomin (1948-49), North Battleford, and Scott Collegiate in Regina (1949-52). Olive married Del Maclaren Miller on June 27, 1953, at Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Regina. Together they farmed on the Miller family farm south of Willows and raised two sons. The family moved to Assiniboia and Olive returned to teaching in 1973 at the Assiniboia Composite High School, where she taught typing and accounting until retiring in 1983. Olive was active in the Anglican Church, providing bookkeeping services for several years. She was a strong supporter of the town library and a long-time member of the Order of the Royal Purple, and enjoyed curling, painting and gardening in her spare time. Her husband Del had a stroke in 1984 and she continued to look after him at home until he passed away in January 2002. Shortly afterwards, Olive moved to the Bentley Residence in Regina, and in her later years was cared for by the wonderful staff at the at the Wascana Heights House personal care home in Regina where she was affectionately known as the 'Godmother'. Memorial Service will be held at Assiniboia Anglican Church, 331 5th Avenue West Assiniboia, Saskatchewan on Saturday, April 9th, at 2:00 p.m, with the Reverend Arleen Champion, Deacon, St. Aidan Anglican Church presiding. Service will be follow by tea at the church. Friends so wishing may make donations to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, 301-2550 12th Avenue, Regina, SK, S4P 3X1, or the charity of your choice.