Edna Miller

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, Edna Beatrice Miller, on Friday, June 7th, 2024 at the age of 83 years. Edna was born the youngest child of Ashley and Florence Hanna on June 29, 1940 in Vulcan, AB.  Her parents were well-past the usual age for having another child, as her brother Ward was twenty years her senior, and brother Roland was ten years older than her.  

Edna grew up on a farm near Lomond, AB and attended most of her school years there. Her final year of high school was spent in Lethbridge where she moved with her parents due to her father’s failing health. Edna completed a secretarial course in Lethbridge following her high school graduation. Edna was set up on a blind date with Gordon Miller in Lethbridge, love blossomed and they married on August 4, 1959.  Sadly, her father passed away prior to the wedding so her oldest brother, Ward, walked her down the aisle to give her over to Gordon’s love.  

Edna and Gordon lived in Lethbridge for a short while, then moved to Innisfail, AB. Tragically, in February 1961, they lost their first child, John Stephen at birth.  Later in 1961, Edna and Gordon moved to Carstairs, AB where they remained until 1993. These were busy years with the arrival of two children, Melanie (1962) and Edward (1964).  Additionally, they became foster parents to several infants, and adopted the last two foster children, Jeremy (born 1972) and Jeffrey (born 1975). Edna decided the home had room for more and provided room and board for several gentlemen during these years, along with raising her family and caring for babies.  A large garden and potato patch, her skills cooking the wild game Gordon hunted and her canning and baking provided a bounty of nutritious meals for everyone. 

Edna was very involved in the Carstairs community where she made many lifelong friends.  She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion, helped with Brownies and Boy Scouts and was a long-time member of the Carstairs Kitchen Band.  Her proudest contribution to the community was her involvement with the Carstairs Volunteer Fire Department beginning as one of a group of women to volunteer when it was unheard of to do. Through hard work and much training she served as Fire Chief for a few years and in October 2000 was awarded a Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal of Canada for twenty years of service.   

Edna maintained a strong, quiet faith throughout her life with her devotion to the Anglican Church, wherever she resided. She was involved with the Anglican Church Women’s group, and led the Sunday School classes during the years Melanie and Ed attended. 

Edna reentered the workforce outside the home in Carstairs as a bookkeeper for the Ford dealership in Carstairs where Gordon was also employed as a mechanic. In 1976 Edna and Gordon went into business with partner Mike Cottrell, opening Carstairs Service Centre.  Edna kept the books and helped manage the business while still doing her volunteer duties and other odd jobs. Edna and Gordon sold the service station property in 1981 continuing to run the repair business until closing it in 1985. 

Edna continued to work at various jobs in Carstairs and Calgary.  She worked for a few years as the manager of the Chinook Winds Lodge.  When this position ended she embraced the opportunity to go back to Olds College and complete the Office Administration Assistant course at the age of 55. She spent her final working years at BMO Nesbitt-Burns and finally Moody’s Farm Equipment. 

Edna was always ready for adventure and embraced a challenge, so at the age of 50 she decided to learn how to ride a motorcycle. She attended a riding course and subsequently bought her own motorcycle.  This opened doors to new friendships with her adventures on two wheels.  

Edna and Gordon moved to Didsbury, AB in 1993, where Gordon passed away in 1999.  Edna remained in Didsbury a few more years then relocated to Olds, AB.  In 2015 she moved back to Lethbridge. Edna’s battle with dementia began prior to  moving to Lethbridge and by May 2022 it was obvious she required more care, so she came to Hanna, AB to be near her daughter Melanie, who could provide love and care for Edna in her final years.  Edna was admitted to the Hanna Long Term Care in July 2022 and remained there until her passing.

She leaves to mourn her daughter, Melanie (Jim) Cattanach; grandchildren, David (Elaine) and Sara; great-grandson, Braden; her sons,  Ed (Kristi) Miller; Jeremy Miller and grandchildren, Justin, Caden, Alexandria and Hannah; and Jeffrey (Jill) and grandchildren, Jaden, Jude and Jovee, and great-granddaughter, River; her sister-in-law, Phyllis Hanna and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Edna was predeceased by her husband, Gordon; her infant son, John Stephen; parents, Ashley and Florence Hanna; and her brothers, Ward and Roland.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Carstairs Half Century Center, 1139 Osler Street, Carstairs, AB, on Friday, June 28, 2024, 2:00 PM.

Donations in Edna’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories: #306, 10430 61 Avenue, Edmonton AB T6H 2J3 https://alzheimer.ca/ab/en