Isabelle Julia Mills (nee Jackson)

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 29^th of June. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.