Millie Adele Jones
The Yukon has lost another of its’ nuggets. Millie Jones (nee McMurphy) passed away peacefully on February 27 in Whitehorse wrapped in the love of family, music of dear friends, and the compassionate care of staff at Whistle Bend Place. Millie spent her entire life in the Yukon except for a few short periods when she left to study. Her parents, Jack and Adele McMurphy lived and worked in Carcross all their adult lives. Jack was one of the mailmen who used a dog-team to deliver mail between Atlin and Carcross. Her parents also ran the Caribou Hotel during World War 2 and Adele worked as the White Pass Station Master for many years. Millie was born in Whitehorse in 1932, grew up in Carcross and always maintained a home there where everyone was welcomed as great food, friendships and music were shared. Her cooking and hospitality were famous. She honed many of her culinary skills working in all the rail stations, Cowley, Pennington and Bennett. She met the love of her life, Don Jones, who had ventured North in search of adventure and romance when he was still a teenager. He found both in Millie. They eloped to Skagway during July 4 celebrations. They loved their way through 36 years of marriage until Don’s sudden passing in December, 1985.
Millie prided herself in that she got into Lake Bennet nearly every one of her 88 years!!! How she loved that beach and swimming…becoming a competitive swimmer as a senior athlete.
Mille was adopted into the Ishkahittaan clan of the Carcross Tagish First Nation and was considered a wise Elder. She was honoured with the name L’eiw kla.
Teaching was a vocation for Millie, she was a third generation Yukon teacher. Hundreds of students and colleagues have expressed great respect and fondness for her dedication and passion for education. Millie was equally passionate about her community and always volunteering in many different ways from children’s programs to senior’s programs.
She is already missed greatly by her four children, Ken (Maureen), Donna (Mike), Brenda (Doug) and Heather; her five grandchildren, Beverly, Linda, Les, Heather, Kyle and ten great grandchildren, her two sisters, Dolly Marchewa and Tina Devine, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews will all miss Auntie Millie, as will the numerous loved ones who also affectionately called her “Nan”.
A BIG celebration of Millie’s life will be held when we can safely gather!
Judy (Whyard/Anton) Nadon
Oh Millie, we’ve now lost another icon in our Yukon lives. Not only were you a wonderful friend of the Whyard family as I grew up, but you then became a teacher of my own children Daniel and Andrew Anton. I am so impressed by the love and honour your children have continued to bestow you over the course of your senior years. My apologies for letting our connection loose hold, and that I have not been part of your life for so many of the past years. My condolences to Ken, Donna, Brenda and Heather and their families. I hope they will contact me for that BG celebration of life when it is safe for us all to gather!❤️❤️
Chris Wheeler and Joanne Ross
Millie was an awesome lady. So sad to hear of her passing. She will be missed. Our heartfelt condolences to her friends and family.
Anne Morgan and Jamie Toole
We are going to miss listening to Millie’s stories of growing up in Carcross and living in the Caribou Hotel with her family during WWII. When we first met Millie in 2006, she gave us a tour of the historic hotel and then demonstrated how she used to slide down the banister as a kid!
Our condolences to family and friends.