Rona Millar

We are sad to announce the passing of our mother, Rona Millar, in her 95^th year on April 22, 2024, in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Rona was born in Shawville, Quebec on June 5, 1928, to Marshall and Mary Howard. From dairy farm to soda shop to graduation and the start of a career as a Registered Nurse at Montreal General Hospital, Class of 1950.

In her mid-twenties, she was charmed by Leonard Millar, and they married in 1954. The honeymoon destination was Dawson City, Yukon! With Len as a railway man, they obtained cross-Canada passage via Canadian Pacific rail and marine (Princess Louise) to Skagway. Then WP & YR to Whitehorse. Getting to Dawson City was a prolonged adventure in the mid-fifties to say the least.

Three years after departure they finally arrived. Rona became the Matron for St. Mary’s Hospital until 1966 when the dredges and mining came to a halt. The family packed up and left for the beautiful Okanagan Valley. The couple created and operated Century House as an old folks’ home.

In 1974 the call of the North was too strong, and they returned to the Yukon. Much hard work was done by Rona over the years, including as the Nursing Supervisor at Macaulay Lodge. Len went placer mining and Rona was not far behind spending summers at Goldbottom Creek while they established a long running placer goldmine. Rona was the first tour guide for Goldbottom Mine Tours and her legacy continues with 2024 being the families 50^th year at Goldbottom.

Rona loved her lifestyle, it afforded world travels, meeting and making new friends everywhere, never a dull moment. She spent many years in the Fraser Valley following Len’s passing in 1991, returning to the Yukon to be closer to family in 2021. She is lovingly remembered by her sister Marshallene, her children, David (Lorraine), Dirk (Brenda), Deborah, and Dee (Dale), her grandchildren Sarah (Matt), Justin, Rachel, Andrea, Tilo, Freesha, Taiga, and her great grandson Jax. Additionally, many more nieces, nephews, and their families.