A resident of our town is celebrating a true milestone today, Friday July 30th. Millie Lecocq is turning 100 years old. For many of us, it’s difficult to envision the scale of change that she has witnessed over the last 10 decades.
Born in Chatham as the second youngest child in her family, Millie grew up in Essex and Gesto. Her earliest memory of those days was going to town in a horse and buggy with one of her siblings.
Another favourite memory is one of her mother sewing a plaid skirt and navy jacket for her birthday. Like many other women of that era, her mother sewed most of her family’s clothing — no small task when you consider that there were eight children!
As a young woman, she worked as a sales clerk at C. H. Smith in Windsor before becoming a ward clerk at two Windsor hospitals — Grace Hospital and Riverview Hospital, both now closed.
Millie met her future husband, Garnet Lecocq, when she boarded for a brief period at the home of his boss and family.
Millie and Garnet spent their time together going to the movies and taking lots of walks since neither of them were yet to own a car. In 1945, they married.
Millie says that the 1940s were the best decade of her life. In addition to marrying Garnet, she had her family. First came Bonnie and then Michelle.
The 1940s also saw the family moving from horse and buggy as their primary mode of transport to their first car. Millie still believes that the automobile was the best invention of the last 100 years. According to her, it made getting around so much easier.
Fast forwarding several decades, Garnet decided it was time to retire and Millie and Garnet decided to make the move to Kingsville in 1980.
They had several family members and friends already living in the area so choosing Kingsville just made sense.
They both loved the town for different reasons.
Garnet loved Kingsville for its community spirit. He joined the Lions Club which kept him busy socially and gave him the opportunity to meet many new people. He was very active in that group along with Millie’s brother in-law Walter Harris.
Millie loved the quiet environment and the proximity to the lake and Lakeside Park.
In the summer of 1981, Millie and Garnet lost their daughter Michelle, who was living in Windsor at the time.
Michelle had three small sons, Robert, Kevin and Cory, and Millie and Garnet stepped in to ensure that they continued to have a happy and healthy upbringing with their extended family.
In fall of the same year, oldest daughter Bonnie bought a duplex in Kingsville where the family all lived together.
Bonnie remembers that they spent lots of time at Lakeside Park. The park was familiar to her since, even before moving to town, she used to come to Kingsville to spend time at the roller rink with friends. Millie also has fond memories of the roller rink there.
After Garnet passed away in 1999, Millie continued to live in the same duplex with Bonnie and the boys. In 2000, Millie’s last living sibling, Keitha Valade, passed away.
Robert, Kevin and Cory are now grown and two are married with young children who bring Millie lots of joy. Her great-grandchildren are Amber and twins Morgan and Ryan.
Millie and Bonnie continue to share the duplex on Erie Street in Kingsville, one living upstairs and the other down. It’s an arrangement that works perfectly for them.
When reflecting on her life, Millie believes that her greatest success has been her ability to appreciate each and every day.
She attributes her longevity to her mother’s good food growing up, and her dedication to looking after her health through the years.
Millie tells us that, even though she is having her 100th birthday, she still feels the same as she did at 50! Her secret to happiness and youthfulness is keeping in touch with family and friends.
She also has some sage advice for all the young men out there. Millie wants to let them know that women are equal and should be treated with respect, always!
When asked if she thinks that the world has changed for the better or for the worse, always positive, Millie says that it has definitely changed for the better due to science and technology.
Please join the Kingsville Times in wishing Millie a very happy 100th birthday!
Top photo of Millie, and photo of Bonnie and Millie, by Chris Anson
All other photos provided by Millie and her family.
Happy Birthday Millie!!! What a pleasure it has been to know you & Garnet & Bonnie!!
Happy birthday aunt Millie ! Love you ❤️
What lovely story! Happy Birthday Millie! Your family is fortunate to have you as a positive influence.
Happy Birthday Aunt Millie 🎈❤
Happy 100th Birthday!!🎂
Happy Birthday Aunt Millie!! Love Carrie, Paul, Andrea and Ava Augustine (Dan Valade’s family)
Happy Birthday Millie! I wish I could give you greetings in person, but when I get back to Kingsville I promise you that we’re getting cheesecake on a stick with a big glass of chocolate milk! God Bless You.
A very happy 100th birthday Millie!!! Love hearing your story and the sharing of those things you have found in a life well-lived!! Thank you!! We are honoured to know you and your daughter, Bonnie and so appreciate you both as neighbours!! ❤️🎁🎉
Happy Birthday Aunt Millie – you give us some very wise advice. Love Carrie & Paul & family.
Happy Birthday Millie, I love your story and your advice!
Happy Birthday Millie ! You look fabulous! Love hearing your story.
Happy Birthday from you nephew Dan
Happy Birthday Millie. You look great. Love your story your great Neice (Doug daughter). Xoxoxo
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT MILLIE!
Happy 100th Birthday Millie .Lots of hugs and love!! (psw) Chris xxxxooo
Happy birthday Millie!!
Happy Birthday Aunt Millie;
with lots of love,
Paul and sandi