Obituary of Millie Valian
VALIAN- Millie
We are heartbroken to announce the death of Millie Valian who was the sunshine of our family and community. After an incredibly active, happy and healthy life Millie succumbed to a sudden bout of Leukemia (AML.) She was comforted by Arnie and their girls as she passed away in the tender care of the Juravinski Hospital staff on September 19, 2020. Millie laughed and loved for 64 years with her cherished husband, the love of her life, Arnie. They shared a dynamic and passionate marriage that was an inspiration to their daughters and friends. Millie leaves 3 proud daughters Leah (Daniel) Becky (John) and Kara (Ron) as well as her 3 cherished grandsons, Dylan, Kyle (Antonia) and Miro. They logged many biking miles with Millie starting in her bicycle’s infant carrier. Millie was born to the late Florence and Blake Anderson of Kincardine and raised in Brantford. She leaves brothers Brian (Carol) and Jim (Suzie) and her cherished nieces and nephews Leila, Laura, Nancy, Paul, Lisa, and Aaron. She is sadly missed by Marco, Nick and Dulce. Millie is predeceased by her siblings Larry Keith, Marilyn Johnson as well as dear friend Bill Martin and cherished cousin Ron Moshoian. A friend described Millie as “the sun around which so many lives turned – bringing us all together, strengthening us with her caring and the sharing of her own strength and wisdom. Millie was the most non-judgmental person I think I ‘ve ever met always compassionate and kind, and genuinely interested in others. And what a bundle of energy!” The only one who could truly keep up with Millie was her black standard poodle Chomeech (Armenian for Raisin Eyes) Millie enjoyed life tremendously and when she came around people were always happy. All of Millie’s life’s work involved caring for and mentoring others towards bettering their lives and relationships. Millie’s humility and compassion for others inspired all 3 daughters towards careers of helping others. As a young mother she graduated with her Early Childhood Education certificate and ran a fully licensed 20-student nursery school from her home in the country for about 10 years. Her Children’s Aid career began in the early 70’s with the PEPPI program, which was a CAS run co-op nursery school that aimed to strengthen parenting skills through cutting edge behaviour modification techniques. Her career continued as a CAS Family Service Worker where she was known for going above and beyond for her clients. She taught hands on whether it was budgeting, cooking or cleaning, and she often left her clients with a fresh haircut. Millie rejoiced in the success of her CAS clients. She was fond of the saying “There but for the Grace of God, go I.” She urged us all to take a walk in the shoes of others. Millie was a fierce children’s activist who wore her cowboy boots to court when she needed to kick ass for them. Before and after Millie’s CAS retirement, she harnessed her energies to help others in her volunteer work. She organized the building of the Mount Pleasant Tennis Courts, was a Big Sister and a Granny of the Grand River Grannies of Brantford. Millie beamed when she received birthday or Christmas gifts of donations to the Stephen Lewis Foundation who support AIDS orphaned children to buy school uniforms and support African Grandmas to support these kids. Millie was always in motion whether swimming, playing squash or on a long country walks. For over 30 years she and Everill began the day walking before sunrise. Brenda fondly recalls cycling with Millie through sunshine and hailstorms, often accompanied by Carol and Trish. The Valian family enjoyed their apple orchard and D’Aubigny Creek, Ipperwash camping and skiing in Ellicottville. Millie loved to organize gatherings to surround herself in the love and laughter of her friends and family. Valian family birthday celebrations always featured Millie’s personalized birthday cakes. Millie taught her girls to enjoy nature and wildlife- particularly garter snakes. (Millie found one stuck in fresh tar along the road and gently removed most of the tar with Whish, a natural hand cleaner. Then she nursed it in a bushel basket of grasses until it later shed its skin and she set it free.) Millie and Kara shared home renovations, gardening and a love of birds. She and Becky biked together, kept bees and travelled to Mexico. Millie and Leah attended Mariposa Folk Festivals, played squash and raised goats. Millie brought smiles and laughter to Kaye and her book club buddies as well as Fran, Allan and the fitness groups. She loved dogs, guinea pigs, beta fish and reading in the tub. She was good at matchmaking, mediating, peace keeping and loved listening to Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Fred J. Eaglesmith. Millie enjoyed travelling to Florida, Greece, Turkey, Cuba, Ireland and across Canada … or just holding hands with Arnie watching Netflix. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic a private celebration of Millie’s life will be held at the McCLEISTER FUNERAL HOME, 495 Park Road N. Brantford. If you wish to take part virtually the tribute will be provided online at www.twitch.tv/mccleisterfh on Saturday October 17, 2020 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers please honour Millie with a donation to the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.mccleisterfuneralhome.ca
McCleister 519 758-1553
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Millie
Valian 1939 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Brantford, Province: Ontario