MARY CATHERINE MILLER, of Milk River, beloved wife of the late Elmer Miller, passed away peacefully at the Milk River Health Centre, on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at the age of 97 years.

Mary Catherine was the oldest of 11 children of Albert and Rose Marie Thielen. She was born March 31, 1925 at her parents home in Allerston. She attended Melfort School for grades one to ten, Masinasin for grade 11 and then to St. Theresa's in Medicine Hat for grade 12.

Mary Catherine married Elmer Miller on May 2, 1944. They made their home in the Masinasin area on land purchased from the Hudson Bay Company for five dollars an acre. They later moved to Milk River in 1979.

Mary Catherine was an active member of the CWL in Allerston and Milk River for over 75 years. The Church and her faith were very important to her. She enjoyed many hobbies, including playing the organ for the parish, baking, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, sewing, and quilting. Many treasured quilts and pillow cases have been gifted to family members for different occasions.

Mom and Dad loved to travel. They made many trips to Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Cuba, a 1975 Holy Year Pilgrimage to Europe, and numerous Canadian destinations. After Dad passed away, Mom continued to travel. She even made a trip to New Zealand.

Mary Catherine is survived by her family: Bernard (Maryllyn) Miller, Peter O'Neil, Carl (Barbara) Miller, Alyce Miller, Ralph (Louise) Miller, Mary Ann (Bruce) Crain, Anthony (Maureen) Miller and Susan (Gary) Winters, 22 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, sisters Loretta Schwartzenberger, Louise Thompson, and brothers Herman Thielen and Paul Thielen.

She was predeceased by her husband Elmer Miller, parents Albert and Rose Marie Thielen, her sisters Frances Wilson, Margaret Roth, Barbara Giroux, Esther Nelson, Anna Ellert, and Alma Elliot, her daughter Laverna O'Neil, and her son Gregory Miller.

The last years of her life were spent at the Prairie Rose Lodge and the Milk River Health Centre. Thank you to all the staff at these facilities for your outstanding loving care and kindness shown to Mom.

A Prayer Service will be held at ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 321 Main Street N.W., Milk River, AB, on Friday, September 2, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. with Father Salvador Ahumada officiating.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Salvador Ahumada celebrating. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and may be viewed via Mary Catherine's obituary on the Cornerstone website.

Following the Mass, relatives and friends are invited to further share this day with the family at the Milk River Civic Centre for a luncheon.

Mary Catherine will be laid to rest in a Private Family Interment in the Milk River Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family are asked to consider donating to the Canadian Cancer Society (cancer.ca)