Obituary of Shirley Mills

It is with heavy hearts that the family announces the passing of Shirley (Leil) Mills on May 6, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family at Hospice Fredericton. Born on March 16, 1937, she was the daughter of the late William and Mabel (McPhee) Leil, and the beloved wife of the late Douglas “Tiny” Mills.

Shirley was born and raised in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, in a loving family of 11 children.  She obtained her teaching certificate in Truro at the Normal College in 1955, and returned to New Glasgow to teach elementary school. This was when she met the love of her life, Tiny.  They married in 1959, and together they travelled to postings in Germany, Ghana and various bases across Canada, including several to CFB Gagetown where they settled and stayed in 1982.  While in Oromocto she taught at an elementary school before starting her own kindergarten. Time for a Rhyme Kindergarten opened in 1970, and was above the Oromocto Community Centre. After a brief pause as a bank teller while in Calgary, Alberta, between 1976 and 1982, she returned to Oromocto and opened her crowning joy, Mrs. Mills’ Learning Land Nursery School, which she operated until her retirement in 2017. Shirley was active in her community and church, serving as a member of the school board, and as the organist at St. John’s Anglican Church for over 40 years.  Her first love was always for her family.  She made time for people, often receiving friends and family at her home with her exceptional way of making all feel welcomed and loved.  She spent her retirement with Tiny tending to her beloved home, gardens, and enjoying the company of her family and friends.

She will be greatly missed by her sons, Darryl (Kathleen) Mills, of Cochrane, AB, and Paul (Jocelyne) Mills, of Fredericton, NB; grandchildren, Lauren, Josh, Kay, Owen, and Hayden; sisters, Evelyn Brown and Anna Blundell (Chris), as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents and husband, Shirley was predeceased by her sisters, Jean, Margaret, Ada, Isabelle and Kathleen, as well as brothers, Jim, Kenny and Billy.

A special thanks to the staff at Hospice Fredericton for their compassion, kindness and care that they provided.

A visitation will be held at the Oromocto Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 2 – 4 pm and 6 – 8 pm. A Memorial Service will be held at the Oromocto Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 2 pm, with Fr. Stephen Harnish officiating. A private family interment for Shirley and Tiny will follow at the St. John the Evangelist Anglican Cemetery, Oromocto, NB. A reception will be held at the St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church Hall, Oromocto, after the service. Donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to Hospice Fredericton.

For those who were unable to attend, Shirley's service can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/1086608148