Elsipogtog, NB – Dr. Mildred Milliea O.C., 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 14th at the Rexton Lions Nursing home. She was the last surviving member of her family. She was an advocate for the preservation of the migmag language; she received an honorary doctorate degree of law from St. Thomas University (May 14, 1990) and also received the order of Canada (May 4, 1995) in recognition for her work in linguistics. She was a role model for her people and all of those who met her, she shared her love and enthusiasm for her culture and language with both young and old. She also spent many years instructing teachers from different provinces on the language and also taught in many First Nations communities. Mildred's love for her community extended to be involved with many communities organizations and also with the Native Women's Association and Catholic Women's League of Richibuctio.
She will be greatly missed by her daughters: Frances (Peter) Levi, Sarah (Vincent) Simon, Rubecca (Lloyd) Simon, Joan Milliea, Kathy (Junior) Dennis and Melinda (Johnny) Brooks; her sons: Eric (Margaret-Ann) Milliea, Noel (Annie) Milliea, Anthony (Sylvia) Milliea, Mike (Katherine) Milliea and Bill Milliea; many grandchildren, great grandchildren as well as 3 great-great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents Mary and Martin Francis and late husband William John Milliea, she was predeceased by her brother Anthony Francis, her sister Jane Levi, her son Peter Milliea, two grandchildren, Lisa Milliea and Neal Milliea and two nephews.
Visitation will be held at 324 Main Street, Elsipogtog, NB on Saturday, April 20th, 2019 beginning at 6pm until the day of the funeral services on Monday, April 22nd, 2019.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anne’s Parish Church on Monday, April 22nd, 2019 at 2pm officiated by Father Raymond Desjardins. Interment will be held at Elsipogtog Cemetery following the service. Arrangements are in care of Thompson’s Funeral Home, Richibucto (523-4252).