The family of Alta MacMillan are sad to announce her passing on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at St. Therese Villa at the age of 97 years.

Alta was born in Canterbury Station, New Brunswick and came west at 2 years of age. She was the 9th child of a family of 13 of Eugene and Emily McNeely.

Alta received her education in Lethbridge and worked at Safeway for 15 years starting in the Lethbridge store when it first opened, then to Blairmore, Calgary and back to Lethbridge. In 1950 she took over the office for her father's company McNeely and Sons, and it was during this time she met people in the real estate business. In 1958 she was asked to take a position as office manager with the newly formed Lethbridge Real Estate Board. In 1975 she was presented with an honourary life membership in the Alberta Real Estate Association.

Alta was very involved with the St. John Ambulance Association from 1947 to 1968, teaching first aid. She was very active in the civil defence council for the City of Lethbridge receiving special training in Ontario in casualty simulation.

In 1959 Alta was very proud to be presented with an honour award for her services with the St. John Division. In 1965 on recommendation of the Priory of Canada, and through consent of Queen Elizabeth, she was admitted to the Order of Serving Sister of the Order of St. John.

Alta was happiest collecting teddy bears and dolls at Saturday morning garage sales. She would add new bows and dresses and donate them to the hospital and nursing homes. She spent many hours knitting toques for new born babies, bed socks and crocheting lap blankets for patients.
Alta was very active in the community, but her love of family always came first. Although she had no children of her own she was a second mother to her many nieces and nephews, always there when we needed advice or a shoulder to cry on.

In 2002, Alta had to leave the home she loved and her many close neighbors to move to Sunrise Village. There she made many more friends, especially Rose Gardiner (they spent many happy hours together).

With her health failing further she was forced to move once more to St. Therese Villa in June of 2008.

Alta had the most positive outlook on life, always amazing those around her and she taught us all to ""make the best of it"". She never lost her sense of humour or her concern for everyone. She was a classy lady.
Alta will be deeply missed by her brother Irvine McNeely; step-daughter Marnie Leisen; and all of her nieces and nephews to whom she was so special. She was so grateful to have the company of her special friends.
Alta was predeceased by her husband Oliver MacMillan; her first husband Harold MacDonald; sisters Eva Jones, Pearl Jones, Lucille Rider, Fern Wreggitt, Hattie Clelland, Madeline Johnson, Florence Easton and Dorothy Green; brothers Claude, Roy and Hugh McNeely.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00PM, on Saturday, November 28, 2009, at the MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4 St., S., Lethbridge, AB, with Reverend Jim Chapman, officiating. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery.