Remembering the life of Christine McMILLAN (2024)

McMillan, Christine Mary (nee Zumstein), March 5, 1927 to August 10, 2024. Mom died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at the age of 97. Beloved wife of Donald for nearly 70 years until his passing in 2022. Loving mother (and mother-in-law) of Bill (Judy), Doug (Katherine), Paula (Brian), Bob (Michael), Jim (Tammy), Gord (Sarah) and David. Proud grandmother of Stuart (Ali), Claire (Stuart), Paddy and Dougie (Tianna); Christie, Katie (Jeremy) and Scott (Kathleen); Megan, Stephanie (Eric) and Laura (Rob); Will (Jen), Andy (Ally), Cameron (Clare) and Zoe; Matthew, Gus and Luke; and Leah (Robbie) and Sarah. Great-grandmother of Alex, Robin, Oscar, Alice, Juliette, Josie, Lou, Maeve and Wyatt. Also survived by daughters-in-law, Jane and Chris; her sister, Paula (the late Ted); and several nieces and nephews and their families. Predeceased by her parents, Dr. George Zumstein and Florence Zumstein (nee Cowley). Mom adored her family. While her seven children and, in later years, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, were her focus, Mom was an incredibly accomplished woman who believed in giving back to the community. After graduating from St. Catharines Collegiate, Mom attended University of Toronto where she earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in 1948 and a Master of Arts degree in 1949. Mom taught English for a year in Rouen, France, then taught French at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. While Mom's formal teaching career did not last long, her kids, grandkids and their friends can attest to the fact that her teaching days never really ended. Growing up on Clairmont Street, split infinitives and dangling participles were to not be tolerated! (Just kidding, Mom). Mom and Dad met in the summer of 1951 while Mom was working for her father in the Radiology department of the St. Catharines General Hospital. They met a few steps from where Mom's parents had met some 30 years earlier. Mom and Dad were married in 1952 and the baby factory kicked into production starting in 1953. Despite the hectic days with their seven kids, Mom still found the time to fulfil her passion for education, serving on various local boards of education for over 25 years, including terms as the first female chair of the Niagara South Board of Education and the Brock University Board of Trustees. After Mom and Dad retired from local politics in 1985, Mom volunteered at Thorold Secondary School, helping upcoming graduates make their post-secondary education and career decisions. She was recognized with an Honorary Doctorate from Brock University in 1989 for her years of service and remarkable contribution to education in Niagara. Mom's passion for education was clear throughout our school years. When she decided that a particular school option in Niagara Falls was best, she drove not only her kids but several other kids from Thorold who otherwise would not have been able to attend. For 10 years, the family station wagon was loaded up with as many as eight kids for the daily trip to and from Niagara Falls. While other kids left schoolbooks behind in June, Mom made sure to bring the Cour Moyen de Francais textbook to the cottage for summer French lessons. Mom believed that music was an important part of education and stood clapping to the metronome as her less musically inclined kids struggled through piano practice. Lunches were packed early every morning and family dinner was always at 6pm sharp before Dad's office hours or council meetings and Mom's school board meetings. No matter how busy their schedules or how rushed the meal, Mom, Dad and whichever kids were home always ate dinner as a family. Nothing was more important to Mom than a family celebration. Birthdays and Christmas were a priority, and Mom started her Christmas shopping for the next year during the Boxing Day sales. Despite having so many kids and grandkids, each birthday was a special event and her birthday party candy baskets were legendary. Mom's baking was second to none, and her birthday cakes were rivalled only by her blueberry pies which were a staple of summer. Mom treasured her summers spent with family at the cottage on Muldrew Lake in Gravenhurst. Mom's parents bought a cottage on the lake in the 1940's and Mom and Dad built our family cottage next door in 1962. Altogether Mom spent almost 80 summers on Muldrew. As her children grew up and moved away to university then began their careers, Mom became one of the best customers in the history of Bell Telephone. It was often hard for Dad to determine which "sweetie" was calling, but the calls came fast and furious. The only exception was between 7:30 and 8pm, which was reserved for Jeopardy. Mom and Dad were never fans of the answering machine, so odds were high of getting a busy signal on any call to the house. In later years, when Mom's mobility became an issue, she spent her days in her power lift recliner talking to her children, grandchildren, her sister, Paula, and many friends and extended family, as well as knitting sweaters, blankets and dolls' clothes for her grandkids and great grandkids. Despite her mobility issues, Mom's health remained excellent until a few days before her death. After a very brief hospital stay of one night, Mom returned home where she could be more comfortable and she passed away in the recliner that had served as command central for the past several years. Mom was very grateful for the love and support of family and friends. A special thank you to the many caregivers who made it possible for Mom and Dad to remain at home for their final years. Mom was a kind and generous person who devoted her life to her family and her community. A celebration of Mom's life will be held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Thorold on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 11am. Mom's remains will be interred beside Dad's at Lakeview Cemetery in Thorold in a private service. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the HAINE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 26 Ormond Street South, Thorold.