Obituary of Gladys Joyce Miller

Our beloved Mom and Grandma, Gladys Joyce Miller, of Rockyford, Alberta passed away peacefully in her home on the farm on December 26, 2023 at the age of 92, surrounded by all of her immediate family and 2 special caregivers.

She leaves to treasure her memory her son Greg and daughter Jean (Will) Van Roessel and their daughters Jessie (Brandon) Lysholm, Rowan and Naomi.

She was predeceased by her parents James and Jane Cormack, her husband Jim, and all of her siblings: Catherine McCool, James, William, Margaret Sorenson, Jean Bremner, Ida, and Marion.

Gladys was born in her family’s farmhouse east of Strathmore on June 19, 1931. She loved life on the farm and helped her parents with many jobs. Since their house was uninsulated with no running water or electricity, she did her homework in a chilly room by the light of a coal-oil lantern. She particularly enjoyed walking out to bring lunch to her dad in the field when he farmed with workhorses and was proud to drive a tractor for him in the later years. She especially loved walks to the irrigation canal north of their farmhouse to her favorite spot under a giant poplar nicknamed “the big tree”.

At the age of 18, Gladys moved into Strathmore with her parents when her brother took over the farm. She loved music and excelled at piano, so after graduating from high school she furthered her music training in Calgary. In the predawn hours, her commute to Calgary began with using a lantern to flag down the passenger train which she said would slow down just enough for the conductor to pull her aboard. In order to afford lessons with the renowned Gladys Egbert, she house cleaned for Mrs. Egbert in the morning before her afternoon lesson. She received her degree in music from the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto. She began teaching piano to as many as 30 local students at a time, and later taught her children and grandchildren as well. Gladys also worked as secretary for the Alberta Agriculture District Agriculturalist.

Gladys’ dream of marrying a farmer came true when she married James Miller in 1959. After living in Strathmore for the first few years, during which Greg and Jean were born, they moved to our farm south of Rockyford in 1963. Mom planted a big garden, colorful flowers, and lots of trees. She cooked and cleaned for hired men, and was known for her hospitality, always inviting farm visitors in for a meal. We will never forget the mobile feasts delivered piping hot to the field at harvest time. She contributed so much to the farm.

Mom deeply loved her family. We were blessed to have such an amazing mother. She taught us about God at an early age, inspired our faith and taught us to pray. She cared for us when we were sick. She encouraged us to do our best and tried to make sure we learned how to do the things that she never got a chance to try, such as riding a bike, skating, swimming and skiing.

She was a mom and best friend.

The last 20 years were harder for Mom, but we were privileged and blessed to care for her at home. We will miss her so much, her wisdom, sense of humour and abundant love.