June 29, 1936 - Oct. 19, 2026
Thanks to Nancy Millar, Canadians and others know and appreciate the Famous 5, Canada’s democratic champions!
After growing up in the Peace River region of northwest Alberta and being both an engaging teacher and journalist, Nancy brought history to life in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary. Her newspaper articles and reports for CBC about a variety of topics were well regarded and often contained unexpected fascinating details.
In the summer of 1995, Nancy Millar and Frances Wright met to talk about Nancy’s next Canadian history book - Once Upon A Tomb: Stories From Canadian Graveyards. Nancy’s research sadly found that very few women’s achievements were mentioned on their gravestones, not even on those of the F5.
Coming to the end of a decade, century and millennium, the Canadian government and national organizations were asking Canadians to remember who had built Canada. Nancy’s previous book, Remember Me As You Pass By, had included tributes to each of the F5 and other achievers and after Nancy mentioned that the 70th Anniversary of the Persons Case would happen on Oct. 18, 1999, it was decided that we should do something to honour the F5 and the role women have played in the building of Canada.
Nancy and Frances invited longtime activist and friend, Dr. Maria Ericksen, to join the discussion and the development of the mission/vision of the F5F and the initial plans for the 1999 anniversary ensued. In early 1996, former Alberta cabinet minister, Elaine McCoy and Calgary Local Council of Women member, Johnnie Chorney, joined and incorporation followed.
The F5F was launched on Oct. 18, 1996 in Calgary’s Crystal Ballroom in the Fairmont Palliser, one of only five locations where the F5 were all together. Nancy, of course, shared valuable information about the F5 gleaned through visits to archives and libraries as well as through interviews with family members and friends of the F5. Her book, Emily Murphy and The Case of the Missing Persons, remains an excellent source of information and inspiration.
Nancy’s joie de vivre meant that the F5 blossomed! Much of the integrity and scale of the F5F is due to her professionalism and dedication. Her experience on various boards and her leadership as a storyteller were invaluable. Nancy encouraged the creation of a permanent F5 marker and loved both Women Are Persons! monuments which Barbara Paterson created on behalf of the F5F. Nancy attended the civic meetings that resulted in the F5 living in Olympic Plaza in Calgary and she cheered on the team so that the F5 could live on Parliament Hill near the front door of the Senate.
Ever the communicator, Nancy insisted that the F5F produce an Education Guide for the 13 provincial Departments of Education. This project was finally completed in 2005.
A very meaningful life was enjoyed between June 29, 1936 until Nancy’s passing on Oct. 19, 2026 and included a dynamic, loving marriage of 69 years and three great children with wonderful grand and great-grandchildren. And then there’s the many friends! All will gather for a Celebration of her life at a later date in Calgary.
On Thursday, Oct. 15, a huge exuberant pro-Canada referendum rally crowd gathered in Calgary to hear Prime Minister Carney. Part way through his remarks, Carney proudly spoke about the contributions of the F5 to Canada as part of his list of major contributions by Alberta to Canada! Suffrage! Equality! The ‘living tree’ doctrine! The latter has enabled our institutions and constitution to evolve as Canadians do. No wonder the crowd cheered and cheered!
And a remarkable ‘person’ smiled…
Canadians and the F5 are and will be forever grateful to Nancy Ellen Sorensen Millar, grateful that Nancy felt ‘equal to high and splendid braveries!’
Submitted by Frances Wright, CoFounder, Famous 5 Foundation
https://calgaryherald.remembering.ca/obituary/nancy-millar-1094112345