Paul,
I am very saddened to hear of Win’s passing on Thursday. It’s taken me a few days to write to you because I have been internalizing such a beautiful person to not be with us anymore.
Win is a spirit that will always be with me and she touched me deeply. No one will ever say she was a “softy” and maybe even say she was very strict with high standards and maybe even hard to approach. She didn’t touch me because of the hug or teaching me grandma’s secret recipe, she touched me because she was a trailblazer of women and I knew her accomplished life was literally burning the first ground to show what women can do and she had to be tough to raise a family and work as a journalist in a man’s full world and she showed no fear. “Of course, women can do that - why on the earth not?” She just took this as fact and played forward accordingly.
I recall when Pauline and Victor got married at Penn State. This was really when I got quality time with Win because meeting her the first time in Canada, I was just starting to date Pancho and she was so strong I wasn’t sure what to think. But in PA, I started to hear her amazing life stories; her encounters, adventures and historical facts and even in 2019 when we visited, her facts and figures were sharp. I remember visiting her house in Chatham in her late 80’s and her only wanting a new computer. I remember her 90th birthday and being so funny and full of life, it’s not surprising she made it to 104 years old!
Your mother was a person that really made an imprint on the world and passed this down to her family in all kinds of special ways. Myself as one of those benefactors, she will always be remembered as a person who can do it and so why not go for it? During those times in my own career as a woman in a man’s field, she was a role model of gumption and perseverance, kindness and education, no boundaries to stay modern with technology and was a history book to enjoy in every chapter she shared of her life. I raise my glass to you Win, your spirit will live with us!
My deepest sympathies Paul to you, your family and the Chatham community that she served for so long.
Kristin Okhuysen
It’s difficult knowing I won’t be seeing Winn physically here anymore. She’s been a part of my life for many years. In her later years, I saw her almost everyday at St. Andrew’s Residence.
My Uncle Roy was responsible for my knowing Winn. They were very good friends so she would come by every New Year’s Day to celebrate the up-coming year with us. And any occasion to be celebrated included dear Winn.
Her confidence in herself and her intellect, made her a very commanding presence.
Winn’s interest in what you were doing and her attentiveness as she listened, made you feel like you were important.
She was direct, yet sensitive. Serious, yet had a wonderful sense of humour. And of course, from her journalism background, she had a colourful, way of saying things.
My life is enriched for having known her.
I’ll miss her greatly.
My deepest sympathy to Paul and the rest of Winn’s family, you all meant the world to her.
Tammie Okubo
Win Miller was a marvellous friend and mentor. She shared many precious memories with me of my mother who she used to walk to public school with. Her life is a testament of achievements and integrity. I am fortunate to have known her in a special way. My grandfather George Parry was Conservative MPP for Chatham Kent for over 17 years. He told me that he wouldn't trust anyone but Win Miller to write his official provincial announcements. When I asked why, his reply, "She never made an error!"
Louise Tansey pledged to donate to Chatham-Kent Public Library
She has been called a mentor who changed the lives of many, me included. The wonderful Win made a pitch on behalf of this struggling Chatham News reporter back in 1964 to land me a job with The London Free Press, and a career as rewarding as I could have ever imagined. Later, her endorsement enabled me to win a Southam Fellowship at Massey College at the UniversityToronto, again giving my journalistic efforts an incredible boost. She was an angel; often referred by me as my "guardian angel." Thank you,Win, for all you did for me, Chatham and the wonderful world of newspapering.
Condolences to the Miller family. She was a great lady and married to a wonderful
Man who I and my mother had the privilege to work for at the William Pitt Hotel. Loved hearing her stories of travels.
Win Miller was truly a wonderful woman. She had a wealth of knowledge and a great sense of humour. I enjoyed my visits with her and appreciated her continued support of Victor Lauriston School. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
My condolences to Paul and family. It was a pleasure knowing your Mother for so many years. She was truly a remarkable person and a very good friend to my sister Minnie and her husband Roy Nishizaki.
A true legend with the heart and soul of a wild spirit horse and yet a "Mother Theresa" like person to so many. Whether it was a pencil or pen and what she put to paper...there is no doubt there are homes throughout that have a newspaper clipping of her article(s) and rightly so. Yours words were so eloquently inked and enjoyed by so many. You will be missed Win but not forgotten. You have etched your legacy into Chatham-Kent history alongside your Dad. You made us all proud to know who Win Miller was.
My deepest sympathy to the family.
Our thoughts and prayers for the family. Win was a wonderful Lady. I was blessed to have crossed paths with her at St. Andrew’s Residence. She will be missed. Anne Bryant and Mike Crombez
My sincere condolences to Paul and all of Win's family. Her 'presence' will be sorely missed by all of those that knew her. I was privileged to have known her as a friend in my adult years, I will never forget her wisdom and her wit. What a gift she was to this world.
Gordon De Wolfe pledged to donate to Chatham-Kent Public Library
Sunday, September 3, 2023
Gordon De Wolfe pledged to donate to Chatham-Kent Public Library
To the entire Miller family,
My deepest condolences. Win was an amazing person full of energy and stories. I was blessed to get to know Win through the church and later creating a children's newspaper, Young Victoria Voice. Every Wednesday for 7 years I got to enjoy watching Win with the children. She taught children about writing stories and how to research. They were so impressed that she drove a "VW Bug". She had so many gifts to share with all. She was truly admired by all who knew her. She will be missed.
Paula Morrison
Paul and the entire family of the legendary Win Miller
Win was an amazing and great woman! I was blessed to be a part in her life through her family doctor (secretary). She was a proud mother/grandmother and a compassionate friend to all. Win's baking goods was something we always looked forward to at the holiday season for many years. Win was loved and truly admired. I feel honored to have know her and watched all that she had accomplished in her life while working at the office. This one great lady that will be missed deeply!
My deepest condolences Paul and the entire family..........
MaryAnn Verbeem
Our thought and prayers to Win's family on the passing of this amazing, loving lady. Win will always have a special place in our hearts. I will miss my weekly visits with Win and our talks over the years. She always adored our sons., and was a wonderful friend to my Mother-in-law. May she Rest in Peace ! ❤️
On a handful of occasions when I, as a fledgling reporter, was sent by the London Free Press to fill in for a vacationing Win Miller (a dedicated workhorse, she didn’t seem to vacation that often), I came to realize the breadth and depth of Win’s importance in informing the residents of Chatham and Kent, and the virtually impossible task of even partially attempting to fill her size-eights, even for a two-week stretch. Later, I would often even see stories she had filed for the morning Free Press appear the very same day in the afternoon edition of the Chatham News, almost word-for-word, but under another reporter’s byline, so complete and factual had been her news copy. A swell lady, she was eager to help young reporters. We just had to remember to keep out of her way as she worked her sources.
Mrs. Miller was a kind and generous friend and mentor to my late husband, Gordon, when he began his farm reporting career at Leader Publications. We were pleased to attend her hundredth birthday celebration. She will be missed. My condolences to her family and many friends. Respectfully, Tanya Hardy
Condolences to the Miller Family, I got know Win though volunteering at St Andrew in Tuck shop she would in to stuff was wonderful and beautiful person I got to know when visit the tuck shop and I use to take her mail to her room she always had big smile and thanked me for being her mail to her. She was awesome and amazing lady live that long and doing great thing in her life. I will miss smile and when walk to dinner room for lunch. You all will be in my prayers during this difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Win's family. Although we did not meet often, I remember well her support and encouragement over 35 plus years ago. On her 100th birthday, she thought people would not remember her day, but many came to an open house for her and she was humbly happy about it. She will be remembered with much affection. Prayerfully, P. Marg Moriyama
We were sad to learn the passing of such a grand lady; she was a true pioneer in all the spirit of the word, for not many would have accomplished all that she had in her lifetime. May peace and prayer comfort each of you at this most difficult time in her final journey ...... RIP Win Respectfully The Shaw Family (decendants of the late Robert Franklin Park)
We are so saddened to hear of Win's passing. She was such an amazing lady and we enjoyed so very much all her visits to our home for summer bar-b-ques.
Our hearts go out to her family.
Janis Hart and Mike.
To the Miller Family:
No words we could say will heal the pain of your loss .Know you are in our thoughts and prayers. When we went out for supper I enjoyed the many stories shared with us by Win.
R.I.P our friend Win.
Don and Maureen De Baene
Sandy and I are saddened at the passing of Win. As a retired educator we crossed paths many times especially at Victor Lauriston School . The memories I have of our interactions are many and cherished. we always had smiles for each other. Please accept our sincere condolences for your loss.
George and Sandy Sims
My dad (Roy James , deceased December 2006), always spoke highly of Win, and her husband.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Hold all your memories close to your heart.
Deb (James) Baverstock
Deepest condolences to the family. Win was a very special lady. I enjoyed the talks we had while I was with her. You will be greatly missed.
Marie Reycraft
There are not enough positive adjectives to accompany the lovely Win. As former next door neighbours to Win on Jackson Drive, we were so fortunate and honoured to have such an interesting and caring neighbour.So supportive of educational and life goals not only for my husband and myself but with both our sons as well.A true friend and so inspirational. Such a great honour to have known her.She will be missed. Dianne ,Rod,Kevin,Craig OConnor
Win was a very special friend to me, although a most unlikely one. My father, Leonard Pegg, spent hours on the phone with Win while I was growing up, on our farm in New Scotland. Leonard was a journalist turned farmer, but never lost the ink in his bloodstream. He was one of the originators of the Ag Hall of fame. While I had encountered Win, through the years, our friendship blossomed when we worked together at "God's Army for Kids" in the basement at Victoria Ave United church. She spent nights sleeping on the floor there in order to mentor young girls who had meager chances in life. We often discussed the kids and prayed for their futures.
I've lost a dear friend.
She was a good soul.
My condolences to the family.
Rosemary (Pegg) Mitton
Paul and family, Mrs. Millar (and when I became an adult she asked me to call her Win) was truly a wonderful woman. I always enjoyed my visits with her throughout my life. I really liked her cookies when I was a little girl. She was always kind to the neighbourhood kids. I found her to have a wonderful sense of humour and loved her smile....she always had a twinkle in her eye. I was one of those children who had their picture taken but it was your Dad who took it. I might have been 6 and I was walking down the sidewalk on Glenwood Drive. Such a nice man.
Our community was so fortunate to have her.
Deryl Hall Giera
