Margaret Mills passed away peacefully in the early morning of March 1st, at the age of 100, at the Mississauga Hospital, after a brief illness.

Margaret was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Inez Cline, her husband Robert Hugh Mills, brother and sister-in-law Robert and Barbara Cline, and nephew Paul Cline. She is survived by her sister Jean Cline of Mississauga, ON, son Brian Mills (Susan Tyrrell) of Calgary, AB, daughter Vicki Smith (Philip Smith) of Mississauga, ON, granddaughters Rosanne Mills (Yonas Belete) of Kitchener, ON, Erin Smith (Jim Griffith) of Milton, ON, Kelly Ademi (Petrit Ademi) of Milton, ON, and grandson Daniel Mills of Calgary, AB; great-grandchildren Adrian and Fiona Ademi, as well as several nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Margaret was born and raised in St. Catharines, the eldest of three children and the daughter of the Postmaster. After high school, she attended “Normal School” (teachers’ college) in Hamilton. She taught Grade 2 and took summer classes at McMaster University, where she met Robert “Bob” Mills, a master’s student in Chemistry. They married in September 1949 and travelled to Montreal on their honeymoon. They liked the city so much that they stayed there for 52 years! Both Bob and Margaret found employment at McGill University. Margaret worked at the Redpath Library until the birth of Brian and Vicki. She and Bob eventually put down roots in the neighbourhood of Notre-Dame-de-Grace and were very active in the First Baptist Church, leading Beaver and Cub groups and singing in the choir. Margaret also engaged in a variety of other volunteer activities, including making regular visits to elderly friends.

Once her children were in high school, Margaret resumed her library career, working at the Fraser-Hickson Library, first in the adult department and then later in the children’s department. She was a natural in the children’s library, leading story times, meeting guest authors such as Robert Munsch, and helping the budding readers and their parents. She was a devoted “long-distance” grandmother, sending her grandkids lovely home-made clothes, books, and cookies. Visiting with her and doing crafts together were cherished memories for them.

In November 2001, Bob and Margaret moved to Mississauga from Montreal to be closer to Vicki and her family. A bonus was that Margaret was able to spend more time with her sister Jean, who lived in Toronto and with her brother Bob and his family in the St. Catharines and Owen Sound areas. Margaret and Bob joined the Glenbrook Presbyterian Church, finding it a very welcoming community. Margaret was delighted to join the local chapter of the PEO Sisterhood; an organization she had been a member of in Montreal since 1954. Margaret’s contributions to her new chapter included making friendly meeting reminder phone calls, chatting with the members and keeping everyone up to date on the news. In 2024 a surprise celebration of her 70th anniversary as a PEO member was held in her residence.

Unfortunately, Bob’s health began to deteriorate shortly after the move to Mississauga. Margaret was a devoted caregiver. She would travel daily by bus to visit and help care for Bob after his move to the Wenleigh Care Residence, until his passing in 2009. Afterwards, she was fortunate to enjoy some leisure travel, including several cruises to Eastern Canada and the Caribbean with Jean, and visits to Vancouver Island, Hawaii, and Alaska with Brian and Susan.

In November 2022, Margaret sold her condo and moved into the Parkland on the Glen residence, around the same time as Jean did. The sisters thrived in their new home, enjoying many concerts, movies, and lectures and making new friends. A highlight was her 100th birthday celebration held in September in the comfy lounge of her residence, attended by all her grandchildren and most of her nephews and nieces and their families.

Margaret was loved by all who knew her. She exuded kindness and had an incredible knack for seeing the good in everyone and bringing it out in them. She never complained about any adversity and had a positive outlook on life that was highly infectious. We are all so much better for having known her.

Friends are welcome to visit at Turner & Porter "Neweduk- Erin Mills" Chapel, 1981 Dundas Street West, Mississauga, on Saturday, March 28th from 2:00 p.m. until time of Margaret’s memorial service in the chapel at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Margaret's favourite charity, Covenant House (https://covenanthousetoronto.ca).