Mildred Ayres

Mildred Ayres (née Smith), 90, passed away September 23, 2021 in Halifax, NS. Born November 24, 1930 in Grand Bank, NF, she was the daughter of the late Martha Matthews and William Smith. “Millie" was the life of the party and the heart of her family. She lit up any room she was in, and oh my, the stories she would tell!! She loved her NF music, esp. Harry Hibbs. She would play her accordion or spoons and be right in her element. Millie’s best times, and ours, her family, were these gatherings. She rarely missed one! She was a busy lady raising five children in NL and then two more when the family moved to Ferguson’s Cove, NS. Seven children, Lard Tunderin’, she was one busy lady! During her early years, she could be found tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, knitting, and she was a marvelous cook and baker. Everyone who tried her homemade bread, sweet and sour meatballs or heavenly lemon meringue pie can vouch for this! Dances at the Purcell’s Cove Club on weekends were something she cherished. Millie was employed at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron for many years as Head Waitress. She then worked at the Dixon Centre, QE II, in the kitchen until she retired. Millie loved to travel to visit her grown children, often taking the bus to visit her daughter, Sarah, and family in Little River, Digby Co. Or taking the ferry to her daughter Judy’s place in Saint John, NB. She also loved to spend time with her sister, Blanche, having ice cream at the Dingle. Her regular calls from her children were the highlight of her day. Lloyd, Dewey, Nancy, all brought her yummy meals in the past few years. Her favorite was “Love Soup” made by her son Jim. Her freezer was always fully stocked!! She will remain a constant source of love and wonderful memories by her family and friends. She loved her dear cat Cinder who remained her constant companion at her home where she lived until she moved to palliative care. Millie was predeceased by her husband, Harold Ayres, brothers Frank, John and Fred Smith, sister Blanche Lewis, son Keith, son-in law Joey Mitchell, and grandsons Chris and Shawn Mitchell. She is survived by her loving children, Lloyd (Kim), Dewey (Darlene), James (Alison), Judy (Gary), Sarah (Travis), Nancy, daughter-in-law Shenna. And her grandchildren Matthew, Mark, Brandy, Jennifer, Scott, Jamie, Emily, Jessica, Brittney, Morgan, Brandon and Chandler, special Great Grandson Owen, and 13 great grandchildren. Special thank you to Bayshore Home Health, Dr. H. Matheson, VON and the staff at the Palliative Care Unit at the VG. A Graveside Service will be held in late October. Donations can be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation in lieu of flowers. “Our mother always taught us to be strong, because she knew that one day we would need the strength to bear her loss.”

Mildred Ayres

November 24, 1930 - September 23, 2021