Obituary of LINDA DARLENE (SALT) MILLAR

In the messages our family has received over the last few weeks, the same words come up again and again to describe Linda - caring, kind, fun and funny, wonderful. All are accurate. We are grateful to have had this phenomenal person loving and connecting us for so many years. 

Linda was the first baby born in the new hospital in Delisle, SK, a daughter for Grace and William Salt, and a younger sister for Betty and Donny.  A beautiful birth announcement and a multitude of photos in her baby album show what a welcome addition this little girl was to her family. 

When she lost her mother Grace at age eight, Linda became an honorary member of Betty and Eddie Mather’s family. She was an aunt to Betty’s daughters Barb, Bev, Cathy and Bonnie, but their relationship was closer to that of sisters. Linda would have close ties with this family for the rest of her life. 

It says a lot about Linda’s relationship with Betty that the two lived next door to each other for decades. Cathy and Linda also shared a special bond, and Cathy stood up for Linda at her wedding.

Linda went to school in Biggar before becoming a cosmetologist in Saskatoon. Eventually, she advanced into a career as a pharmacy technician, and worked at the Grace Hospital’s Assiniboine Clinic in Winnipeg for 38 years. The profession was an excellent match for Linda’s nurturing nature. Linda paid attention to details. She knew what was going well and what troubled you, and always had a listening ear and a comforting word of advice. 

In her husband Rob, Linda found a soulmate and a best friend. The two were always together, and shared a love of cooking and entertaining. Linda and Rob had a knack for making people feel welcome. They’d sit outdoors and chat with passersby, some of whom became lifelong friends. During the years that Linda and Rob lived on Sturgeon Road, their living room and patio tended to be full of friends and family chatting, laughing and sharing a drink together.

You knew when you stopped in to see Linda and Rob that the treats you enjoyed would be on hand. Not only that, but you’d be offered whatever gourmet cuisine they were enjoying at the moment - be it Steak Neptune, mince pies, garden peas fresh from the farmer’s market, or homemade perogies that a customer had brought to Linda at the pharmacy.

Linda was a wonderful stepmother. While it isn’t easy to take on this role, Linda handled it with her usual grace and warmth. When Rob and Linda first became a couple, it was Linda that took the initiative in reaching out to connect with Rob’s kids Joni, Jillian and Jonathan. Her efforts were often the glue that bridged the miles between these family members scattered across the country. There was never a time that Linda wasn’t happy to hear from “the kids.”

Linda and Rob were grandparents to seven grandchildren, and Linda was also aunt and grand-aunt to the children of the Mather girls. Any baby in Linda’s presence would be doted on, loved and spoiled. Photos of small children were displayed with pride, and her wallet still contains pictures of babies who now have babies of their own. She also kept photos of their beloved dog Pokey.

Holidays were important to Linda and Rob. At one point, their Christmas tree featured 1500 twinkling fairy lights. Again, it was all about the children. Treats were always on hand for kids both large and small.

Linda enjoyed travel, even though she disliked flying. She went on several cruises, made a number of trips to Las Vegas, and visited family in Ontario, Alberta and other parts of Canada. Rob and Linda’s last out-of-country trip was to Palm Springs, where they spent a glorious month in the sunshine.

Linda’s gift for listening meant that everyone was comfortable in her presence. She made you feel that talking to you was the highlight of her day, and remembered all of the details of whatever you were doing. She had a knack for soothing, encouraging and making you snort with laughter, all at the same time. Everywhere Linda went she made friends, simply because being around her felt like coming home. 

We thank her for the millions of ways she made people feel loved, and for being a shining example of kindness and caring. A photo memorial of Linda is available here.

Link - https://sumptuousrepast.com/linda/

Linda was predeceased by her parents Grace and William, as well as Betty and Eddie Mather, Barb and Steve Churchman, and Bev and Larry Dufily. She is survived by her nieces Cathy (Tony) Mariani, Bonnie Mather, stepchildren Joni Millar (Darcy Munson), Jillian Millar (Dave) Drysdale, Jonathan (Krista) Millar, and grandchildren Lizzy and Sofi Munson, Katie and John Drysdale, and Scotia, Matlock and Callie Millar; grand-nieces and nephews and their children Anthony (Krystal) Mariani, Phil (Ainsley) Mariani, Chantal (Dave) Wiebe, Ryan (Alyssa) Mariani, Dan (Teagan, James) Churchman, Travis (Tiernan, Damon, Becka), Brad (Rachel) Dufily, goddaughter Rhea (Joey, Oliver) Dufily, Katie (Jon, Lexee, Marlee) Guignard, and Kari (Hugh, Tripp, Hadley) Sullivan, Sherrill (Doug) Ullrich, Donna (Carlos) Hanson, and Jackie (Michael) Lander.