Isabelle Julia (Jackson) Mills (1934 - 2019)

Born 5 Nov 1934 in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Ancestors

Wife of James Ira Mills CD — married 3 Sep 1955 in Bridgetown Baptist Church, Bridgetown Nova Scotia

Descendants

Died 11 Apr 2019 at age 84 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jonathan Mills [send private message]

Biography

Julia graduated from Acadia University with a B.A. in music in 1955. She started playing organ in church at the age of 13 at Bridgetown Baptist church, Nova Scotia. She was organist and choir director for 60 years until her retirement in 2007 from St. Gyles Presbyterian church in Ottawa.

Julia spent her days visiting husband Jim in the long term care facility in Kanata as his health gradually deteriorated.

As Julia approached her mid-70's, it became apparent that she was starting to show signs of Alzheimer's disease. At first, this made her very sad since she had nursed her own mother through Alzheimers in the 1980's and was devastated that she was also heading down that path. Nevertheless, she qualified for a drug trial and Jonathan took her every month to the Bruiere Hospital in Ottawa for an injection for over a year. Since it was a double blind trial, we do not know if she was on the real medication or not, but it did appear to slow the progression of the disease because her condition deteriorated much more rapidly once she moved to Edmonton (Jonathan and Janice accepted an appointment in Rwanda with Canadian Baptist Ministries in 2014 and so Julia was moved out to the Rosedale Seniors Home in Edmonton to be closer to Andrew).

In 2016, Julia became ill and was losing weight. She spent a few days in the hospital and it was a terrible experience because she was so confused. When she returned to Rosedale, she had lost the ability to play the piano. This was a devastating loss for everyone as she used to play songs in the common room every Sunday afternoon with the help of Andrew and Karen. By 2017, Julia had lost the ability to communicate. She gives appears to be talking conversationally, but the words are all jumbled and unintelligible. Her physical condition is very healthy, but her mind continues to go downhill.

Obituary Notice

Julia Mills passed away peacefully with family by her side on Thursday, April 11. Julia is survived by her brothers Leslie and Jim, sons Andrew (Karen) and Jonathan (Janice), and grandchildren Wesley, Spencer, Calvin (Eliza) and Robert Mills; and step-grandchildren William, Katherine, and Krysta Long. Julia is pre-deceased by her husband, James Ira Mills (2003), and her brothers Donald (2011), Neil (1976), and Alan (1955).

Julia was born in Halifax to Isabelle (MacQuarrie) and Ernest Jackson. When Ernest’s health failed (asthma) and he was forced to take early retirement, they moved to Bridgetown NS to live on the MacQuarrie family farm. Julia graduated with a degree in music from Acadia University in 1955 and married Jim Mills September 3, 1955.

Jim Mills was a Baptist minister and soon joined the army as a chaplain. Jim’s profession led them to many communities including Chance Harbour NB, St. Andrew’s NB, Gagetown NB, Borden ON (3 times), Churchill MB, Bridgetown NS, Soest West Germany, Gypsumville MB, Winnipeg MB, Winchester ON, Ottawa ON, Kanata ON, and finally Edmonton AB. She especially loved her time in Europe travelling widely while living in Germany from 1967 to 1970, and then going back for many vacations over the following years.

For Julia, music was always present. She showed great talent for piano at a young age and was encouraged to pursue music by her mother Isabelle and sister-in-law Hester Jackson (Beech). At the age of 13 she started playing the organ at Bridgetown Baptist Church. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with a specialization in organ performance. An accomplished pianist and organist, she provided the music in the churches and chapels and taught piano students throughout Jim’s military career. After Jim retired from the military, Julia blossomed out into musical director positions at a number of churches in Ottawa including Bromley Road Baptist, Fourth Avenue Baptist, and St Giles Presbyterian Church. During these years she prepared and performed the weekly music programs and directed the choirs. At Bromley, she specified and supervised the installation of a new pipe organ, an accomplishment for which she was justifiably proud. Julia’s musical career spanned more than 60 years before she retired at the age of 75. Her final postlude at St Giles was Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. As the last note reverberated through the church she raised her hands in joy; she would never play the organ again.

Over the course of the past few years, Julia’s life has been curtailed by dementia. It is a condition that has afflicted many family members including her mother Isabelle, and brothers Donald (2011) and Jim. Throughout her decline she remained positive and happy; she was constantly singing to herself and was the first person to get up and dance at the Rosedale musical entertainments. It was on the day when she stopped singing that the staff noticed and immediately sent her to the hospital. Music was in her heart, and gave her joy, right to the end.

We especially want to thank the staff at Stonehaven in Kanata, Rosedale in Edmonton, and the Palliative Care Unit at the Edmonton General for their excellent care of Julia as she negotiated the stages of her illness. A Memorial Service will be held at Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa at 11 am on Saturday the 29th of June. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.

Sources

• Son, Jonathan
• Obituary notice written by Andrew & Jonathan Mills (sons)
• Family Search reference ID: LTC9-CS5