Barbara Jane MacMillan (nee Howell)
1932-2021
In Loving
Memory
MacMillan, Barbara Jane (nee Howell)
passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 with family by her
side and later that day her precious 11th great grandchild was
born. Barb was the beloved wife of the late Dr. Ian
MacMillan, mother to Heather, Gail (Scott Murray), Jane (Phillip
Bondt) and Jack (Neno). She is survived by her brother Michael
Howell(Delores) in Nova Scotia. Loving grandmother to Karen
Murphy (John Arch MacDougall), Laura Murphy (Jeff Walker); Anysia
(Jessi), Nelson, Matthew Murray; Derek (Laurie), Mark (Stacey), Lisa
(Ben), Stephen Bondt; Jacqueline (James), Elizabeth (Christian) and
Christopher (Natasha) MacMillan. Predeceased by her
siblings John, Emma, Paul, Mary and Rose . Nany Barb to now
11 great grandchildren: Archer, Austin, Mae, Polly, Renna, Nell,
Rooney, Jamin, Zoey, Allister, Malcom and a very loving aunt to many
nieces and nephews. Godmother to Lorne Wilkinson and Jackie
Kane.
Barb was the second of 7 children born
to ‘Captain Jack’ and Mary Howell (nee
O’Brien) in Yarmouth, NS. They had moved to Metaghan, NS and
then to Hebron outside Yarmouth. Their father died at sea
when Barb was only 14yrs old. In high school Barb loved to
sing and perform. She and her siblings worked hard to support their
Mom. She studied nursing at St. FX University then worked as an RN at
the Halifax Infirmary where she met Ian. After Ian graduated they
married Aug 20, 1955 and moved to New Glasgow, PE where Dr. Ian ran a
practice serving the North Shore Community and Barb assisted as an RN.
The family now with 3 girls moved to Toronto where Dr.Ian did his
specialty training in ENT, son Jack was born and now it was time to
return to Charlottetown.
Family was very important to Barb and
Dr. Ian. She cherished being a stay at home Mom and supported all her
children in their education and extra-curricular activities be it
music lessons, horses, water-skiing, swimming, qymnastics, golf,
skating, travel or whatever. She advocated for better pool
facilities, supported PR and sport development and was on the National
Synchronized Swim Executive for many years. Barb also loved
her sporty Mazda RX7 cars and loved to travel on her own and with a
few special friends and occasionally with her husband if she arranged
the travel details.
Barb had a great zest for adventure,
experiences and a real taste for the better things in life. Her great
generosity in sharing whatever she had with her family, friends and
especially her grandkids and great grandchildren was amazing. She took
the older grandkids on many travels and adventures and also loved the
ritual ‘once you are 6’ she would take them to the
Delta for an overnight stay, themed dinners, swim and
breakfast!!
Barb also maintained her own interests
in tennis, golf, curling, bridge, swimming, painting and floral
arrangement and worked occasionally. She has always loved the beach
and Ross Lane Stanhope was a favourite spot, close to the cottage and
wonderful friends. Barb had a ‘Life Well Lived’
and when she could she lived it fully!!
After Ian died and Barb was no longer
able to live on her own the ability to be at the Atlantic Baptist
Nursing Home Dec 2018 was a real blessing for her health and well
being! Barb was often able to get out with family for visits
and Sunday brunches until this past year when the pandemic hit and her
health started to decline.
As a family we have so much gratitude
for the wonderful care and support she received at ABH from so many of
the staff (too many to mention but we know you know who you are) and
fellow residents, especially Greg. A very special thanks to Reagan,
Darlene, Dr. Chris Lantz for the additional support you gave
to the family. Barb’s beautiful spirit and precious smile
will be missed.
Barb’s wishes: there is to
be no wake or funeral, cremation will take place and my ashes will be
brought to Yarmouth by my grandson Derrick.
Resting at the Hennessey Cutcliffe
Charlottetown Funeral Home. A ‘Celebration of
Life’ with the family and close friends will be planned for
a later date.
In lieu of flowers, if desired, please
make a donation to the Kidney Foundation of PEI,
kidney.ca/.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Barbara Jane MacMillan nee Howell 19322021..
Death notice for the town of: Charlottetown, Province: I-P-E