Obituary of Judy Miller

Judith Ann Miller nee Loukota passed away on Oct.23, 2024 at The Meadows care home in Swift Current.

Judy was born in Dodsland, SK on May 20, 1949 to James and Georgina Loukota of the Daisy Hill area, near Ruthilda.  She spent her early years on the family farm until James built a house in the town of Biggar. 

Judy was the younger of two daughters, Linda being the older.

She went to school in Biggar, and then moved to Saskatoon where she took CNA (Certified Nursing Assisant), which later became LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse).  Later she moved to  Moose Jaw to begin her career in nursing. It was during her time in Moose Jaw that she met the love of her life, Gerald Miller.

She worked as a nurse until she had children.  At this point, she put her nursing career on hold to run a day-care in her home, so that she could be at home with her children.  She continued this until her children “got fed up” with this arrangement (one day, one of her children asked her if any other kids were coming over.  When she told them, “no”, her children celebrated, because they’d be able to play with their toys.  This was when Judy realized that the day-care days needed to come to an end), and so she went back to nursing.  She continued in her career until her health required her to take early retirement.

Her care of others went far beyond being a professional obligation, as she became a “bonus mom” to some of her childrens’ friends as well.  Those friends knew that Judy would do whatever she could to help them whenever they needed her help.

While her children (Heather, Charlene, and Karl) were growing up, she made time to go on numerous field trips and band trips, as well as volunteering as camp nurse at Girl Guide camps, and volunteering in any other way that she could, including many hours on the phone looking for volunteers to work bingos.

Judy always enjoyed doing crafts of all sorts.  Participating in the craft clubs at The Meadows gave her great joy.  Her children think that Judy “never met a craft she didn’t like.

Judy was a member of the Swift Current Adult Band for a number of years, playing clarinet. For the first number of years she shared her daughter’s clarinet, because it had been hers, much to her daughter’s chagrin.

Judy is survived by: daughters Heather (Bryan) Ens of Saskatoon, Charlene Miller of Swift Current; son Karl Miller of Swift Current; grandchildren, Gavin, Leodegan and Kai Ens of Saskatoon. She is also survived by sister: Linda Baldwin of England; Sisters-in-law: Betty Miller of Caron, Janice (Ron) Appleyard of Gull Lake area, Gloria Rosbrook of Regina; four nephews and four nieces and their families. She was predeceased by her husband: Gerald Miller; parents: James and Georgina (nee Boudy) Loukota; grandparents: Joseph and Catherine Loukota and Frank and Mary Boudy;  in-laws: Melville and Mary (nee Ross) Miller; Gerald’s grandparents: John and Margaret Miller and William and Blanche Ross; Brothers-in-law: Don Baldwin, Arnold Miller and Carman Cross as well as her aunts and uncles.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 PM, on Saturday, November 9th, at Parkside Memorial Funeral Home. 

Donations in Judy's memory can be made to the Swift Current SPCA (Online: https://spcaswiftcurrent.com/make-a-donation/  Mail: 2101 Knight Crescent, Swift Current, SK  S9H 3X3) or to the Meadows Auxiliary - Silver Wings Van (Mail: C/O Elenore Forge - 491 Curry Cres, Swift Current, Saskatchewan, S9H4S3 RE: Memorial donation - Silver Wings Van)