MACMILLAN, Esther MacMillan

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved matriarch — wife, mother, mother-in-law, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and dear friend — Esther (Jackson) MacMillan, our cherished “Nanny.”

Born at home on September 29, 1942, and raised in Cobden, Esther fondly reminisced about her childhood at the Cobden Hotel and her train trips to Renfrew with her sister Elizabeth to visit her beloved Aunt Esther and Uncle Tom Williams. After meeting the love of her life, Jim MacMillan, at Hilton Mines in 1961, Esther and Jim began their life together by building a bungalow on the family farm in Jim’s hometown of Bristol, Quebec next door to her special in-laws Jessie and Gordon MacMillan. They spent many happy years at their beloved Bristol Tree Farm with their many close friends, even after moving to Renfrew to raise their sons, Gord and Tom, and to take over the family business, T. Williams Plumbing & Heating in 1971.

Esther’s greatest joy was her family, especially her four grandchildren: Hannah, Jimmy, Jordan, and Hillary. She treasured her home on Stevenson Crescent, baking (especially her famous pies), shopping, a good book, a glass of gin, and the 37 wonderful years she and Jim spent on Marco Island surrounded by dear friends. She was exceptionally proud of her two sons, Gord and Tom, and shared a loving and special bond with her daughters-in-law, Laurie and Carrie.

The MacMillan family is deeply grateful to the staff at Groves Park Lodge and to Dr. Pinard for the kindness and compassion shown to Esther in her final months and days. Special thanks are extended to Deborah Armstrong and her team for their support and care throughout Esther’s final journey. The family also extends heartfelt appreciation to Esther’s dear friends and supporters over the past few years: Heather Hill, Kinga MacAskill, Colleen Gibbons, Kelly Barr, and Roxanne Nolan.

Esther is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, James “Jim” MacMillan; her sons, Gord (Laurie McGregor) MacMillan and Tom MacMillan( Kerri Patterson); her grandchildren, Hannah MacMillan, James “Jimmy” MacMillan, Jordan (Melissa Hughes) MacMillan, and Hillary (Jesse) Riopelle; and her six great-grandchildren, Scotlyn, Poppy, and Walter MacMillan, Bridget MacMillan, and Rayah and Tabar Riopelle. She is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth Schroeder; her niece, Sarah Schroeder; and her nephews, Brent and Paul Jackson.

She was predeceased by her parents, Olive and John Jackson of Cobden; her brothers, Archie (Agnes), Albert, Robert, and Adrian; and her parents-in-law, Gordon and Jessie MacMillan.

Esther’s care has been entrusted to her family’s longtime friends and neighbours at Goulet Funeral Home. Visitation will take place on Thursday March 5th from 4-8 pm. A Private funeral and committal to follow in spring. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Norway Bay Cemetery c/o 21 Wharf Road Bristol, Quebec J0X 1G0 or Renfrew Victoria Hospital Recreation Department in Esther’s memory.