Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Ontario for funeral details
Miller, Win
March 7, 1919 to Aug. 31, 2023
After a long, happy and productive life, Win Miller has died of old age in her home town
of Chatham in her 105th year.
Journalist, world traveller, beloved wife, loving mother, local historian, skilled baker,
devoted mentor, Win was above all a survivor, who managed as a toddler to survive a
flu pandemic that preyed on young people and at the age of 102 shook off a case of
COVID.
Win’s career in journalism started in her teens, as a student reporter for the Windsor
Star. She then moved on to become news editor and commentator for CFCO radio,
before spending the last 25 years of her journalistic career as Chatham bureau chief of
the London Free Press, where she worked long hours covering the many stories
generated in a bustling community. She was also a skilled photographer, whose news
and human interest pictures, particularly of children at play, would often grace the front
page of the Free Press.
During her lengthy retirement, she was as busy as during her working years. She
completed an update of her father Victor Lauriston’s highly regarded history, Romantic
Kent, as well as commissioned histories and biographies of noteworthy locals such as
Napoleon King and the McKeough family. For many decades, she also wrote the
profiles of the annual inductees into the Kent County Agricultural Hall of Fame, and was
herself inducted into the Hall in 1991. She also found time to complete her university
degree, becoming at the time the oldest graduate of the University of Windsor and a
member of the President’s Roll for academic excellence.
Travel was one of the great joys of her life. She and husband Bill travelled the world,
visiting every continent except Antarctica during what in retrospect must be seen as a
golden age of travel. She continued travelling solo after Bill’s death, and in her 80s
fulfilled a life-long dream of following the Silk Road to fabled Samarkand.
Among the honours and recognition she received, Win was a recipient of both the
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee and Golden Jubilee medals, for community service
and local historians respectively.
Win was predeceased by husband Bill, her son Peter, also a respected journalist, and
all seven of her siblings. She is survived by son Paul (Janeen), daughter-in-law Shirley,
and Peter and Shirley’s four children; Stephen, Patricia, Matthew and Chris. She held a
special place in her heart for Paige Flint, whom she mentored from a young age, and for
the grandchildren of her beloved sister Dorothy; Carmen, Francisco, Gerardo and Victor
Okhuysen.
Special thanks to John Willat, her friend of many years, and the staff at St. Andrews
Residence, whose care and affection made her many years at the residence carefree,
happy and comfortable.
A funeral service and celebration of Win’s life will be held on Saturday, September 9 at
11:00 a.m. at McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham, reception to
follow. Visitation the day before from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Memorial
donations can be made to the Chatham Public Library or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com
McKinlay Funeral Home
459 St. Clair Street, Chatham,
519-351-2040
1919 2023
Death notice for the town of: Chatham, Province: Ontario
death notice Vida
Miller 1919 2023
obituaries notice Vida
Miller 1919 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Vida
Miller 1919 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
