Obituary of Henny Christensen Miller

These dates that mark Henny’s birth and her final passage are significant in their definition of time. Between these two dates is a small dash which represents the passage of time. This simple dash is where she fully and completely “lived” her brilliant 90 years with compassion, respect, and kindness. These years marked by her “dash” is where our memories come into focus. The memories and kind words that Henny’s family are receiving leave all of us feeling so very proud of Henny, the beautiful person she was, and the way she lived out her dash.

Henny’s Dash

Henny was born in Four Falls, N.B. to newly immigrated Danish parents, Henry and Anna (Groth) Fuglsang. She was the oldest of three siblings. After she lost her father at the very young age of nine, her mother moved to Montreal to support the family. Henny spent her summers in New Denmark helping on family farms. This work was challenging, but Henny was not afraid of hard work and long hours. Perhaps the grit she built on the farm, helped her to succeed academically at West Mount School in Montreal where she graduated with accounting.

While living in Montreal, Henny met Rae Miller who soon became the love of her life. Henny and Rae were married June 2, 1953, sharing their date with the Queen’s Coronation. They spent more than 53 wonderful years together.

As a young couple they moved to Sussex, where Henny was employed by the Royal Bank. They eventually took over and expanded the family business, known as Miller’s Meats and Groceries.

While Henny was raising her four “spirited” children, who fondly called her “Kettle”, she was also a member of the Trinity Anglican Church (Sussex and Saint Martins), ACW, IODE, CNIB, and served as the treasurer of the Eastern Star Home. She also sat on the board of the 2nd Trinity Troop of the Boy Scouts of Canada.

Henny loved a good party, she and Rae would spend many Saturday nights at the VIII Hussars mess dancing the night away, dressing up in costumes for parties, and celebrating both their personal triumphs and those of their friends. Henny had so many talents. She was known for her fabulous meals - her skill of cooking and baking was second to none. She sewed most of her own clothes, as well as items for the family. She reupholstered sofas and chairs, refinished and restored furniture. She even caned her kitchen chairs.

Henny was always well ahead of her time on so many levels and most impressively when it came to her love and respect for the environment. She recycled milk bags, newspapers and was cautious to purchase items that were free from excessive packaging, she often toted her reusable shopping bag. She developed these environmentally friendly habits early in the 1970’s-long before stewardship of the planet was fashionable.

In 1992, Henny and Rae moved to Saint Martins, enjoying retirement, where they continued to entertain family and friends. Henny made several trips to Yellowknife, Edmonton, Calgary, and Quebec as it was important to her to be a significant part of her children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Henny enjoyed gardening, painting, knitting, crocheting, photography and helping with community breakfasts for the church.

Even with dementia slowly stealing her life, Henny was always kind and pleasant to those around her. She always looked on the bright side, and never ill-spoke about anyone. Henny always appreciated even the smallest kind gestures.

She is survived by her beloved children Michael (Michèle) of Gatineau; Chris (Janice) of Wards Creek; Jan Miller Hunt (Scott) of Calgary; and Peter (Sharon) of Sussex. She loved her grandchildren: Christopher (Kathleen), Niya (Graeme), Jenna, Erika, Anna, Maren, Isabel (Eric), and Martin (Mila); her great grandchildren: Oliver, Daphné, Louie and Jules. She is remembered lovingly by her brother Peter Fuglsang; sister-in-law Lowell Ann; as well as nieces and nephews.

Henny Christensen (Fuglsang) Miller passed away at the Sussex Health Centre on November 24, 2020 at the age of 90.

Along with her parents and husband, she is predeceased by her brother, Jorgen and infant son, Paul.

The family would sincerely like to thank Lynn, Janine and the wonderful staff at Primrose cottage for a loving home and exceptional care of their mother for the past six years. They certainly went above and beyond.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex (506) 433-1176. Due to Covid-19 all arrangements will be held privately, You may take part in the service by viewing the serivce at https://livestream.com/accounts/12493326/events/9438948 on December 19, 2020 at 2:00pm.

For those of you who wish, remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society, the Trinity Anglican Church Building Fund or a memorial of the donor’s choice or plant a tree in her memory. Condolences to the family may be made through WallaceFuneralHome.com