Mildred Prosen
Mildred Yvonne Prosen (née Kebe)
March 13, 1937 – December 21, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our wonderful mother who died Monday, December 21, at 83 years of age. She leaves behind her husband Mike (Mirko/Vladimir) of 61 years, her brother John (Jean), her sister Angie (the late Don Retty), and her five loving daughters, Mary-Louise (Paul), Theresa Rose (Charles-Henri), Elizabeth (Terry), Stephanie (Lorin), and Jennifer, as well as her grandchildren, Marc-Etienne (Ally), Quinn, Emilie (Iliass), Jordan, Michael, Rachael, and Joseph, and great grand-daughter, Nora. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and their families, Ricky, Susan, Danny, Kathy, Louise, Don, James, John, Jeff, Matthew and Alex. She was pre-deceased by her parents Marija and Janez, and by sisters Rose and Anne and their husbands Gus and Don, as well as by nephews Jamie and Len who were taken from us much too soon. She will also be missed by family in Slovenia and in Italy.
Millie was born March 13, 1937 in Val-d’Or, Quebec to Marija and Janez Kebe who had emigrated from Cerknica, Slovenia. The middle of five siblings, Millie had many fond memories of her early life in Val-d’Or surrounded by family and a strong Slovenian community. At age twenty, she left Val-d’Or for Toronto where she met her husband-to-be, Mike Prosen, at a Slovenian church picnic. She and Mike married in 1959 and had five daughters over the next twenty years. Millie devoted her life to her family. Her energy was legendary. While her children were young, she also took on caring for other children, some of whom became cherished family friends. Later in life, Millie returned to working at the bank, which she loved. Mom had an incredible ability to calculate sums in her head. Long after dementia had diminished her ability to read or play word games, she could still calculate people’s scores with lightning speed. A devout Roman Catholic, Millie was active for many years in St. Pascal Baylon Church with the Catholic Women’s League, organizing their annual Barbecue Fundraiser at the Thornhill Village Festival. She loved to garden, and we were blessed with abundant flowers, fruits and vegetables, and so many wonderful family meals. While her cooking and baking were renowned, Millie was also a talented seamstress, ace scrabble player, avid reader, devoted defender of the underdog, and always ready to help whoever was in need. Her sense of whimsy made us laugh. Her quiet determination and profound faith made us strong. Even as she began her long slide into Alzheimer’s, she never once complained. She died after a short battle with Covid-19. We will be forever indebted to Millie, as hero, mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. Heaven has gained a mighty angel. Our family would like to thank all the many friends and family who have shown their support during this difficult time. We extend a special thank you to Dr. Heather Currie and all the staff at Woodhaven for their dedicated care of Mom and for accommodating us as we stood vigil outside her window. In accordance with our mother’s wishes, she will be cremated and a small funeral will be held in accordance with Covid restrictions at Holy Cross Cemetery in Thornhill. Date to be later announced. A celebration of Millie’s life and legacy will be held at a later time when we can gather friends and family together safely. In memory of Millie, donations made me made to Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mildred Prosen 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Thornhill, Province: Ontario