Mrs. Sarah Millhouse, resident of the Cut Knife Health Complex, passed away Saturday, September 7, 2024 at the age of 103 years. A Private Family Graveside Service was held Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at the Cut Knife Cemetery with Reverend Janice Trost as officiant. A Eulogy written by granddaughter, Cortni Millhouse can be found below. Donations in Sarah’s loving memory may be made to the Cut Knife Health Complex – PO Box 220 Cut Knife, SK S0M 0N0. Arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium – Vanessa Macnab Funeral Director.

 

On April 11, 1921 Sarah Frances McCormick was born in Elk Creek Virginia USA, to Sue Chattam and Charles Lawrence McCormick.

In 1925, at the age of 4, Grandma moved to Canada with her family. They settled north of our farm on land that is still in our family. Grandma had three brothers and two sisters. The children in her family were Norman Eugene, Sarah Frances, Charles Lewis, Alma Corrine, Harold Stanley and Dorthy Faye.

Grandma took her Grades 1 to 7 at Wembley School which was a little country school located north of our farm. After Grade 7 Grandma moved to Cut Knife and lived with Fred & Murtle Atton so she could take her Grade 8.

Grandma met Grandpa Jack for the first time when she was 15 and he was 16. Grandma and the Atton’s family had been invited to Grandpa Jacks folk’s house at Christmas time. They dated for three years before being married.

On Wednesday June 15, 1944 Grandma & Grandpa were married at the Pentecostal Church in Cut Knife. Shortly after the wedding Grandpa Jack’s folks moved to B.C. and Grandma and Grandpa moved into the house on the farm.

Grandma enjoyed a beautiful life as a farm wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Grandma and Grandpa had 3 children, Terry who married Rose, my dad Larry who married my mom Diana & Judy who married Ian; and 5 grandchildren: Lyle, Jason, Shandi, Jarett & then there was of course me, Cortni the #1 grandchild; and 2 great-grandchildren: Jacob & Sarah.

My favourite memory as a little girl with my grandma was in her back yard in the pumpkin patch. Grandma and Grandpa had the most amazing back yard full of beautiful fresh flowers and in the fall, there were so many pumpkins. So many in fact that Grandma and Grandpa brought enough pumpkins to my preschool in Battleford so that every child would have a pumpkin to take home. Another fond memory I have with my grandma as a little girl or as she liked to call me, sugar, was the endless hours grandma and I would spend in her amazing powder room, playing dress up, her doing my hair, and letting me do her makeup. And of course, growing up whenever my mom and dad said no, I knew exactly who to go to that would always say yes, my grams.

As I got a bit older one of my favorite memories had to be houseboating and of course we took Grandma and Auntie Corrine, Grandma’s sister. The one year we got caught in a bad storm and our boat got washed ashore. I remember clearly that Grandma and Auntie Corrine sat with their life jackets on while my mom and Dad sorted out how we were going to get the boat off the shore, in fact they even slept with their life jackets on!

I will always cherish my last summer with my grandma.  I enjoyed having her out in the flower gardens numerous times, bringing her fresh flowers from my garden, I will never forget her love for fresh flowers.

Grandma and I shared an immense love for cats. I have taken my wild kitten in my backpack in and put it in her bed for her to enjoy and cuddle. I have brought her the big cats at the nursing home and let her play with them. I have brought her yet more and more soft cuddly stuffies for her to enjoy. In her last days I was blessed to have been able to spend time with my parents sitting and comforting her.

My Mom & Dad have always been there for my grandma ensuring that she lived her best life. One of grandma’s favourite things to do was when my dad picked her up in the side by side and took her to the farm to see all the animals and the various field work through the year, Mom was able to spend Grandma’s last 13 days at her bedside reading her bible verses, playing her music and ensuring she was not alone. My grandma used to always play with and braid my hair so as I spent countless hours with her by her bedside, my mom would braid my hair, while my grams told me she loves me forever.

Grandma has spent the last 7 years at the Cut Knife Special Care home and has never lost her sense of humor and her kind soul, continuously whistling away like a teapot. When we would ask Grandma what her secret of living a long life was, her answer was always the same. People just need to learn to be happy!

I will forever hold in my heart all the memories of you my dear Grams. Your entire family has been so blessed to have you as such an incredible role model like you. We love you forever Grandma.

Card of Thanks

The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the Cut Knife Health Complex for taking such good care of Sarah during her time in their care. To Reverend Janice Trost for praying over Sarah during her final days with us and for officiating such a beautiful celebration of her life. To Mike and Katie Wurtz and the Hillsvale Colony for providing a wonderful steak supper to the family following the graveside. To Vanessa and the staff of Eternal Memories for their professionalism and attention to detail. And finally, to everyone who’s phoned, sent flowers, messages and love to the family at this time.

• Date : 2024-09-12
• Location : Cut Knife, SK