01/13/2026
Millie: Hilda (née Rodgers) -
A resident of Chatham, Hilda Millie passed away peacefully at the Riverview Gardens on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the age of 94.
Born in Hillsburgh, Hilda was the daughter of the late John and Mary Anne (née Hamilton) Rodgers.
Beloved wife of the late Earl Millie for 43 years.
Loving mother to the late Rodger (MaryAnne) Millie, the late Tim (Linda) Millie, Greg (Barb Proctor) Millie, Carol (the late Bill) Hedley, and Cathy Smith.
Mother-in-law to Karen Millie.
Grandmother to Dea, Diana, Dolly, Rhiannon (Sean), Bethanie (Jeremy), Caitlin, Lisa (Brendan), Candace (Jamie), Stephanie (Joshua), Daniel (Kailyn), Becky (Todd), Rachel (Mat), and Katie (Jared).
Great-grandmother to Caleb, Joshua, Nahum, Hope, Faith, Piper May, Nathaniel, Hannah, Jackson, Bryce, Aiden, Ben, Kiara, Chloe, Declan, Jaxson, Mackenzie, Millie, William, Owen, Isaac, Abby, Andrew, and James.
Sister to the late Gladys Dormer and Bert (Evelyn) Rodgers.
Sister-in-law to the late Eleanor, the late Marion, the late Pauline, the late Norma, Gladys Ann, the late Ralph, the late Ray, and Ken.
For the most part Hilda was a stay at home mom. When her children were old enough to take care of themselves she went to work for Simpsons catering in London. When the family moved to Chatham she became a cook at McDonald's, working in the kitchen for 15 years.
In her spare time Hilda loved to play cards and teach others how to play the game. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren play sports. She also enjoyed watching Murder She Wrote and Matlock and had to be home every day at 4:30 to watch her favourite soap opera. Hilda loved the challenge of crossword puzzles.
After she retired from McDonald's, Hilda continued to go there every day to meet up with a group of friends and eat chicken nuggets. Those nuggets had to be FRESH OUT OF THE HOT OIL or else.
Right up until her second last day on earth Hilda was a very feisty woman and had no problem speaking her mind. The staff at Riverview Gardens loved her s***k and the way she would give them a smile after chastising them.
Her love of bald eagles is why she is now spending her final resting place in an urn decorated with them.
Hilda will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and friends.
As per Hilda's wishes, cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at Holy Trinity/St. Paul's Anglican Church, 81 Selkirk St, Chatham on February 21, 2026 at 2:00 pm, with visitation from 1:00 pm until the Service time. An interment will take place at Maple Leaf Cemetery at a later date.
Donations made in memory of Hilda to the Canadian Cancer Society or to Alzheimer Society of Chatham-Kent would be appreciated by the family.
Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com
McKinlay Funeral Home
459 St. Clair Street, Chatham
519-351-2040