Catherine “Jane” McMillion, age 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Bellingham. She was born Nov. 12, 1926, in Trenton, New Jersey, to Bernard J. and Emma Miles.
Jane graduated from The College of New Jersey with majors in English and music and a minor in world history. She taught high school in Lynden for over 20 years, and later in Bremerton and at Assumption School in Bellingham. Jane proudly served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1949 to 1954 and was one of the few women selected in the first class of Korean War WAVES. She worked in the Bureau of Ships as a communications officer. As a commissioned officer, she worked to support the buildup of the 1,000-ship Navy that included the construction of the Nautilus exploration vessel. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion Post #7 in Bellingham.
Jane sang with the Whatcom Chorale and Church of the Assumption, where she was a member. She had an outgoing personality with a wicked sense of humor. She loved music, animals and murder mysteries.
Jane was preceded in death by first husband Patrick Thomas, second husband Warren McMillion and brother Bernard Miles.
She is survived by her four children, Patrick Thomas Jr. (wife Helen), Rosemary Thomas Reimer (husband Steve), Betty Thomas Beaulieu and Sally Thomas-Lubetich (husband Chris); grandchildren Christina, Evan and Amanda; great-grandchildren Alex, Jameson, Ana and Ian; and many loving relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held in Westford Funeral Home from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Church of the Assumption at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, with a reception following. Committal will be in Lynden Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Hope House at Church of the Assumption, 2116 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225.
Share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.
