Betty McMillan, wearing the mayoral chain as Stratfords first female mayor in the 1970s. Photo courtesy of W.G. Young Funeral Home.Betty McMillan, wearing the mayoral chain as Stratfords first female mayor in the 1970s. Photo courtesy of W.G. Young Funeral Home.
Midwestern

Betty McMillan, Stratford's first female mayor, dies

A pioneer in Stratford politics has passed away.

Betty McMillan, who served for many years as an alderman on Stratford municipal council and became Stratford's first female mayor, died Saturday at the Spruce Lodge long-term care facility. She was 95.

According to the obituary provided by W.G. Young Funeral Home, McMillan had worked as a teacher and a realtor before developing an interest in politics, having worked on several election campaigns. In addition to serving as mayor of Stratford in the 1970s, McMillan had also served on council and for one term on the Stratford Board of Education.

Stratford Mayor Dan Mathieson tweeted his condolences to the McMillan family, calling McMillan a "kind, thoughtful and great leader". Mathieson has ordered all flags at Stratford city buildings to be lowered to half-staff.

https://twitter.com/Danmathieson/status/1097651628348448771

McMillan was born Betty Ashbourne and was raised in Toronto. She attended the University of Toronto, where she met her husband. They eventually settled in Stratford. McMillan taught a variety of subjects at schools in Stratford and Mitchell and also worked as a realtor alongside her brother, Richard Ashbourne. McMillan was involved in a variety of community projects, ranging from Canada Census training to overseeing Sunday School programs at the present-day Avondale United Church, to serving as president of United Church Women. Her outside interests included golf and painting.

McMillan is survived by her four children, Eric G., Beatrice, Suzanne Kelly and Judi Gilbert, 12 living grandchildren, plus several nephews, nieces and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers Richard and Paul Ashbourne and sister-in-law Winnie Ashbourne. She is predeceased by her husband Eric C., two brothers, a sister, a granddaughter and a nephew.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service on Monday, April 22, at 1:30 p.m. at the W.G. Young Funeral Home on Huron Street. A reception will follow the service. The funeral home says McMillan's cremated remains will be scattered in God’s Holy Acre in the St. James Anglican Church Rose Garden. Expressions of sympathy and memorial donations may be made to the Stratford Perth Rotary Hospice, Avondale United Church or Spruce Lodge gardens through the funeral home.

Read More Local Stories