Helen Jane Mills

It is with great love and the appreciation of a life very well lived that we announce the passing of Helen Mills on October 27, 2025. She passed away very peacefully at Highland Wood, Haliburton, in her 101st year.

Helen was predeceased by her beloved husband of 69 years, John Mills, and is survived by her children, Coulie, Doug, Karen, and Liz (Bruce), as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and grand-dogs.

Helen was raised in St. Thomas and Windsor but lived her married life in Etobicoke with summers at Haliburton Lake. She enjoyed bridge with her special group and had an incredibly artistic eye, whether it was fashion, interior design, art, or culture. She was an avid reader and enjoyed the theatre and film. John’s career allowed them to travel extensively, and she took full advantage of each destination to see some incredible sites. Well into her 90s, Helen’s favourite places were Sherway Gardens, or any restaurant!

In the summers, she swam, tended her plants, and even water-skied into her 60s. She and John had a very special group of friends on Haliburton Lake, and those friendships have continued with the generations.

She loved to laugh and had a great sense of humour, and she was also an incredible listener – she looked you in the eye and made you feel like you were the only person in the room. She cared deeply about all those close to her. She was also incredibly kind. She cared about animals, and people less fortunate than she was. Every time she ventured into downtown Toronto, she would take money in a special zippered pouch to give to any unhoused people she came across. She could be overzealous and on one occasion, she pressed money into the palm of an executive that was just outside on a smoke break. She was extremely aware of how fortunate she was and wished the same for everyone.

Helen and John provided a lovely life to their children.

Very special thanks to the many wonderful people at Gardens of Haliburton and, since spring 2024, Highland Wood. They are too many to name individually. All have been so kind and caring. Mom will miss her wine in a Dixie cup that was part of her routine at Highland Wood!

Private Funeral Arrangements

Funeral arrangements are private. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation in Helen’s memory would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the HALIBURTON COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME, 13523 Hwy #118, Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0 (705) 457-9209.

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