MILDRED (MILLIE) STEPHENS

Condolences & Memories (8 entries)

• I was so sorry to hear about Millie and Marcus. I worked at Tall Girl with Millie in Winnipeg and have very fond memories of her. I feel blessed to have known her and will keep her in my thoughts. - Posted by: Carla Davies (co-worker ) on: Aug 10, 2015

• Our sincere condolences on the loss of your mom and dad, Michael. Also to the rest of Millie's and Marcus' families. We knew you around 1972 when our families were next-door neighbours in the Charlesmount House apartment block. You and our oldest son Glen were playmates, and Dave and I were friends with your folks. That's also about the time when your dad, who we always called Steve instead of Marcus, was taking his chef's training -- sometimes he shared his goodies with us. I remember some delicious date loaf in particular. I'm sure you boys were a great joy to your folks, and vice versa. I can just picture big gentle Steve with them as babies and toddlers! Quite the contrast! Glen remembers you and your folks, and also sends his condolences to you and the family. Dave and Fran and Glen Wardale, Calgary - Posted by: Dave & Fran Wardale (friends) on: Jan 31, 2013

• A tribute to Millie (Kardashinski) Stephens, by her sister Ilene and the family and read by her niece Sandy at Millie's Memorial Service on January 2, 2013. Millie loved people. She cherished her husband Marcus, her son Michael, his wife Karen and her grandchildren Marcus and Aaron. She spoke about them to anyone who would liosten. She particularly appreciated her extended family and loved spending time with them, often travelling to Ontario and Detroit. Millie loved to laugh and tease people in a gentle manner. She made friends easily wherever she went and whatever she did. Millie was a determined and a fiercely independent person. She took charge of her life no matter what obstacles stood in her way. She was much stronger than any of us thought. Mlllie was my sister but also a friend of my youth. A few of you who are attending this service will likely recognize yourselves in one or two of the pictures displayed on the boards outside the lunch room after this service. There were many good times and parties at the houses we rented at Winnipeg Beach and Matlock. As a young woman, Millie carried her height of 6 feet 2 inches proudly, like a model. (Our father always told her "walk straight!") Millie was not only tall, but also slim and she had a smooth, elegant walk. In high school, Millie, Margaret and I played volleyball and basketball. In basketball, she was our star centre and the three "Kardashinski's" made up two-thirds of the first string on the Isaac Newton High School Junior Basketball Team. Millie continued her basketball career playing on Manitoba club teams for about ten years. Millie's love of sport stayed with her throughout life and she reveled in Michael's volleyball success and the many achievements of Marcus and Aaron. Millie worked most of her life and had a diverse career. She worked in banking and retired from the Credit Union after a successful 25 years. She then got involved with retail sales at the Tall Shop. As everyone knows Millie was tall, so a good pick to work at the Tall Shop which sold clothes for tall women. Millie was a natural salesperson and became very popular with her clientele. She was very professional but we all know how straight-forward Millie was so she didn't hesitate telling a client that what she was trying on looked awful. Of course she found them something which did suit them and, as a result, she earned their loyalty and friendship. She was also talented at dressing male clients who enjoyed dressing in women's clothing. Her stories about those experiences were hilarious. Many of her customers followed her to other locations when Millie moved to other stores. When you talked about the Winnipeg Tall Girl shop, everyone knew who Millie Stephens was, even the guys. Millie was a "clothes-horse" and she was able to truly indulge her passion during her retail sales career. She acquired sharp outfits for every occasion. These included wonderful leather shoes which had matching handbags. She became a kaleidoscope of glowing jewel tones which she preferred along with black and white. Millie got her driver's license and renewed it annually, mainly for personal ID purposes since she never actually learned to drive well. Instead she became an expert on the Winnipeg transit system. In 1963, Millie's life changed because she met the love of her life, her "sweet chocolate" Marcus and her world would never be the same. When Marcus passed away in 2009, she never missed a day without talking about him. Millie was an avid reader and her favourite genres were murder mysteries and romance novels. She also loved watching the game show network and old black and white movies. Millie loved to play cards, especially Rummoli which became a Boxing Day family tradition at the Stephens' house. We could never figure out how she got the 7-8-9 sequence so often but she would just laugh and rake in the pennies. Millie and Marcus loved the Boxing Day tradition and Rummoli was always played by everyone... kids and all... after their beautiful prime rib roast beef dinner. Millie had a precise memory and was the "go to" person for family history. We will miss her vivid descriptions of people and events going back to grade school. If you attended school with Millie and wanted to know the name of your Grade 2 teacher, Millie could tell you. Millie believed in an existence after death. She believed she would see Marcus and the rest of her family - our Father, our brother Gordie, our Mother and our Dad again. During her determined fight with cancer we talked about whether she could let us know. In the first few days after her passing, Margaret and I stayed in her apartment. During that time, batches of her medications (of which there were many) fell on the floor twice, seemingly for no apparent reason. It was probably her way of telling us she no longer needed them! We have such a small family and now it is one lovely person smaller. Goodbye Millie. We love you and we'll miss you but I know you and Marcus will enjoy his birthday celebration on Saturday. Together again. - Posted by: Ilene Kardashinski (Sister) on: Jan 08, 2013

• Sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. My heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with you, Michael and your family. - Posted by: Deanna Pringle () on: Jan 02, 2013

• I met Millie 14 years ago while working at Tall Girl. We spent many hours chatting over the years. It was always apparent how much she loved her husband and the rest of her family. Know that Millie touched the hearts of everyone she knew. She had a kind heart and was always ready for a laugh. - Posted by: Erin G (Friend) on: Jan 01, 2013

• Millie "Mill" and I worked together for a few years at Tall Girl and became quite close. She took me under her wing and was like a second mom to me. We kept in touch, although not as often as I would have liked, and when I had a daughter and Millie met her, she just adored her. Millie and I used to share stories and secrets while at work, and she made going to work so much fun. She was a very classy lady and I will never forget her and her beautiful heart. Sadly, I am unable to attend her memorial service due to my mother-in-law's memorial being on the same day, but I have faith that Millie knows how much she is loved and will be missed. My sincere condolences to her family at this time. You have lost a very special lady, but know that she will always be with you. - Posted by: Jennifer Waluk (Friend) on: Jan 01, 2013

• Millie and I met over 40 years ago and became good friends instantly. She always talked about how I had introduced her to the love of her life, Marcus. I will miss our daily phone conversations, shopping and the fun and laughter we would have when the three or sometimes four of us would go out for breakfast at our favorite places. Rest in Peace my dear friend, I will miss you. Our heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with you, Michael & family, Margaret, Ilene & Jewell. Julie, Kevin & Andre & family. - Posted by: Julie ( friend) on: Dec 31, 2012

• I met Millie while working at Penningtons. We worked shifts together and she talked almost every shift of her love of Marcus. She was a good friend and I will miss her a lot. God speed Millie you will be missed - Posted by: Leslie Green (friend) on: Dec 31, 2012