Obituary of Win Miller

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Win Miller

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 80's 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 Willatt, 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