Obituary of Allison Eleanor Milburn
ALLISON ELEANOR MILBURN
(nee Bilton)
Allison died on May 7, 2021 at the age of 89 after a long illness. Beloved wife of Thomas Milburn for over 65 years. Mother of Susan (Steve Hopwood), Margaret (Steven Moser) and Ann (Pete Nicholls); grandmother of Emma Hopwood and Abigail Moser. Predeceased by her sister-in-law, Mary Beaton (nee Milburn). Survived by her sister, Madeline Wright and brother-in-law, Cam Beaton; nieces, Barb Beaton and Jane Milburn; nephews, Bill Wright and Tom Milburn. Predeceased by her parents, Thomas Henry Bilton and Hazel Eleanor Bilton.
Allison grew up on a small farm near Hagersville, Ontario in the 1930’s, with her older sister Madeline. Despite the often told story about the long walk to school in town, she loved and excelled at school and was selected Head Girl at Hagersville High School for 1948-49. She went on to the University of Guelph, MacDonald College where she obtained her Degree in Household Science. She had fond memories of her classmates from MacDonald College (class of 1953), helping to organize their reunions for many years. She was also a member of the University of Guelph’s archery team, which gave her the opportunity to travel to universities in other cities for competitions.
Allison moved to Toronto after university where she was a dietitian at Annesley Hall, a women’s residence at the University of Toronto’s Victoria College. It was in Toronto that she met her husband Tom, brother of Mary Beaton, one of her classmates. Allison and Tom moved to the new avant-garde suburban community of Don Mills in the late 1950s, two lots away from Mary and Cam Beaton and where both families raised their girls as one extended family. Holidays were enjoyed at the family cottage on Lake Chemong outside of Peterborough, not far from the farm where her husband Tom grew up and his brother Don, sister-in-law Amy and family continued to farm. There were also visits to Little Kennisis Lake where the Wright/Tovey family have cottages. After retirement, Allison and Tom enjoyed annual visits to the lovely and very unique Sanibel Island, Florida.
Allison loved life and was always very positive and encouraging to anyone she came across. Growing up in the depression she had a lot of ingenuity and was known for her ability to fix most things. She was a good cook and could bake a great chocolate cake and many other goodies. She was, in many ways, a person before her time. Allison made seat belts for her children even before they became a requirement in North American cars. She emphasized the importance of community and culture and many Sunday afternoons were spent visiting museums, historical sites, and conservation areas. She encouraged her daughters to educate themselves, think for themselves, and be who they should be. And that they did in spades.
In addition to her devotion to her family, she was a long time member of the Donway Covenant United Church and the Ladies Fellowship Group, the University Women’s Club’s Antiques Group, the Ontario and Toronto Home Economics Associations and curled at the Avonlea Curling Club.
Allison’s family would like to thank Yvonne Jones and the team at the Greenview Residence – Second Floor for all of the wonderful care she received there since 2012, and Dr. Grossman, Dr. Berlin and the staff on 5SE at North York General Hospital for their care and compassion in the days before her death. A graveside service has been scheduled (COVID restrictions permitting) for Saturday, September 18th at 1:30 p.m. in Mount Pleasant Cemetery (east side, Section 23 across from the Funeral Centre). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to North York General Hospital at www.NYGHFoundation.ca or by calling 416-756-6944 (Donor Line). Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
© 2021 Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel Limited. All Rights Reserved.
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