BIOGRAPHY

Miller was born as Ethel Maud Romans in Windsor, England. Her father died young, and she earned a living for her family as a teenager, running a dressmaker’s and tailor’s shop. In 1917, she met English-born Canadian soldier Vivian Frederick “Fred” Miller while out shopping.

After the war’s end in 1918, Fred Miller returned to Canada for demobilisation. Two years later, he had saved enough money to bring his wife over. Miller arrived in Montréal by ship. The couple settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where Miller later recalled her shock at the bitter winter. Her husband was employed with Winnipeg Hydro, and they raised two daughters, Gwen and Phyllis.

Miller’s husband retired in 1950, and the family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. Her husband died in 1970 aged 80, and her daughter Gwen died aged 48 in a car crash. Miller lived independently until she was in her 90s.

Miller celebrated her 110th birthday in 2000 with her daughter Phyllis, enjoying a sip of champagne and a small gathering with friends at her nursing home in Langara, Vancouver. She died on 23 January 2001 at the age of 110 years, 107 days.

RECOGNITION

Several local dignitaries attended Miller’s 110th birthday celebration; she also received a congratulatory message from Queen Elizabeth II.

Miller’s age was validated by the ESO on 23 August 2023.

ATTRIBUTION

• Snapshot: 110 years of one woman’s life Vancouver Sun, 7 October 2000 (hosted on Imgur)

• Don’t worry, be happy, says B. C.’s oldest woman Vancouver Sun, October 2000 (hosted on Imgur)

GALLERY