Eleanor, 91, passed away peacefully on January 3rd 2025, at Grace Manor – Holland Christian Homes in Brampton, ON.
Eleanor was born on June 29, 1933 to Joseph Angus and Elsie Sayers in East York, Toronto, ON. Sister to William Herbert Angus (Anne Pepall predeceased, Eva Gerold). After graduating from East York Collegiate Institute, she went on to study Physical and Health Education at the University of Toronto. She was actively involved in the women’s athletics community at U of T, playing on and coaching many teams and serving as the president of the Women’s Athletics Association.
While working over the summer at Lake Louise as a university student, she met John Frederick Stewarton Milliken (predeceased) and they went on to enjoy a loving 67 year marriage. After living in Toronto, the pair moved to Sault Ste Marie to pursue their careers in teaching. Eleanor served as a teacher, coach and mentor to countless students and athletes during her time at Sir James Dunn Collegiate. The family moved to Sudbury in 1967 and Eleanor eventually resumed teaching at Lasalle Secondary School as a supply teacher. It was challenging but enjoyable work, particularly because of the time spent with friends and colleagues on staff. She was also the head referee for many years for women’s high school and varsity basketball in Sudbury.
Eleanor and John went on to have 3 children, Ross (Louise Poloni), Bruce (Rosane Muniz de Oliveira) and Sheila (Tony DiViesti) who were her most fortunate students of all. Whether it was skiing at Onaping, practicing their golf swing in the backyard or swimming at Laurentian beach after picking their quota of blueberries, she always found time to guide them. Her lessons were numerous but kindness and generosity were foremost. As her family grew with 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, Eleanor continued to play a prominent role in family life. Even holiday scavenger hunts at the cottage served as lessons in organization, cooperation and the value of candy as an incentive.
Eleanor was also a dedicated volunteer in the community assisting Meals on Wheels, Maison McCulloch Hospice and Idylwylde Golf and Country Club among others. She was a dedicated member of the CFUW Sudbury for almost 50 years, where she served in many executive roles including with the Ontario Council and CFUW national. In these roles, she made countless friends and travelled to many parts of the world which were some of her fondest memories.
Eleanor will undoubtedly be missed by many, but her impact has shaped us all and left us with a lifetime of cherished memories.
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the staff at Grace Manor, Brampton Civic Hospital and Heike Gonze for their wonderful care and support for Eleanor towards the end of her life.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CFUW Eleanor Milliken Scholarship to assist women in pursuit of post secondary education (CFUW Sudbury Charitable Trust).
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com.
Jane Cox
Eleanor had quite the giggle-she had lots of giggling! We played badminton with Eleanor at the Y in Sudbury until her eyesight made it too difficult to play.
Eleanor kept reminding me that CFUW Sudbury was a worthwhile organization to join. Because of this, I’m now co president.
Loved you Eleanor…Rest in Peace. Jane Cox
Angelo S. Callegari and Beverly J. Morton
Ross and Family,
Our condolences on the passing of your mother. I’m sure with her long and active life she has left you all with many fond memories.
Susan Darling
Eleanor made you proud to be a CFUW member. She was so enthusiastic about what we achieve locally, nationally, and worldwide. Club presidents and others always sought and valued her advice. I also enjoyed golfing with Eleanor at the Idy. A real source of fun, energy, and knowledge, a person I’ve missed since she and John moved away. Condolences to her family.
Dr. Yehiel and Maria Meghory
Dear Ross, Louise and family,
Our sincerest sympathies to you all, on the recent passing of you beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. May your sweet memories of her bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dr. Yehiel and Maria Meghory
Marie, Jim, Tyler and Jaclyn VanderDoelen
Our condolences to Sheila, Ross and Bruce and their families on the passing of their mom/grandma/great grandma. It sounds like she was an amazing woman and has left a wonderful legacy in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. May she Rest in Peace.
Lisa MacLean
Ross, Louise & entire Milliken family,
Our deepest condolences for the loss of your precious Mother. What a beautiful tribute to an honourable Woman, whose life was well spent dedicating herself to her family and contributing to society by giving the best of herself.
Love Always,
Lisa & Charlie MacLean
Donna Ferguson
Dear Milliken Family,
Bill and I send our sincerest condolences. Eleanor lived a long and productive life and I will fondly remember the few times I was in her company and how engaging and genuinely interested she always was in her conversations with all.
May she rest in peace.
Donna and Bill Ferguson
Chris Payne
Our deepest condolences to Ross, Bruce, Sheila and your wonderful families. We will always remember your mum”s visits to us here in the UK very fondly and the great welcome she always offered when we made the return trip. I know she will be sorely missed. With all our love from the Paynes here in England.
Lesia and Michael Oshell
Dear Ross, Bruce, Sheila and families,
Please accept our deepest sympathies. Eleanor was an amazing woman, a wonderful neighbour and a cherished friend. We grieve with you but also celebrate her well lived life!
Michael and Lesia Oshell and family.
Bob Skaltsiotis
Our Deepest Condolences to the Family
Bob and Foula Skaltsiotis
Howard Phee
Dear Ross and Louise,
I would like to extend my sincere condolences on the passing of your mother and mother-in law.
May you be given the strength to deal with her passing and be fortified by the warm memories that you cherish from your life with her.
Howard and Carole Phee
Steven Piper
In offering my condolences to Sheila, Ross and Bruce, I am writing to say that I know how giving your mother was because I received so much from her husband John who was also a highly devoted teacher and coach. John gave me free tennis lessons at the boat club (when I was 8 years old) thus allowing me many years of enjoyment of the sport, culminating in playing on my university team. He also coached me in my last 3 years in high school – returning to the school each evening, after a full day of teaching, for 2 hour basketball practices (from 6 to 8) – he taught us fast break basketball; and was such a great coach that our little Sault Ste. Marie northern Ontario team made it all the way to the provincial championships 2 years in a row – losing in the final championship game by only a few points in each of those 2 years. Just to illustrate how intelligent and thoughtful and gifted he was as a coach and teacher, I can attest to the fact that he would talk for 10 or 15 minutes at the beginning of each practice to help us understand what to think about; and in one practice he suggested that, when playing, we strive to switch from offense to defense one split second faster than the other team once they got the ball, and from defense to offense when we got the ball – I was focusing on such efforts to such an extent that in one close championship game I could not understand why I could not hear him when I walked over during a timeout – I then realized that the crowd was making so much noise that it was drowning him out – but I had been playing in “silence” due to the fact that I was so intent on focusing on what he had taught us. The many lessons I learned under his guidance benefited my life immeasurably and are still benefiting me, and others in my life, to this day – such is the ripple effect created by people such as your mother and father who dedicated their lives to such extraordinary devoted and loving service. Best regards and best wishes to each of you. Steven Piper
Barb Angus
I was very sorry to hear of Eleanor’s passing. I first met Eleanor when I was quite young, when the family came to visit us far-flung cousins in Vancouver. It was wonderful to reconnect with her at Bill’s celebration in Mississauga after so many years. She was an accomplished woman with a great sense of humour, and she will be greatly missed.
Mary Ecclestone
So sorry for your loss Sheila, Bruce, Ross and all your families. Fond memories of Princess Anne PS, Wembley PS and Sudbury Secondary…hours spent in gyms playing basketball. Your Mum arranging for friends to billet us in Sault St Marie. She had the best laugh. They both visited us in Perth, Australia when we lived there…thinking of you all and sending much love.
Michelle & Stephane Cloutier
Dearest Sheila,
So very sorry for your loss, your mom was an amazing women and touched so very many lives, mine included. My deepest sympathies to you, Bruce & Ross and your entire family.
Hugs,
Michelle Cloutier