April 29, 1954 – January 10, 2018
Lew was born in Christchurch, New Zealand to loving parents Diana and Clyde Cameron. Growing up by the beach, Lew’s childhood was filled with long days in the sun, surrounded by friends and family. Swimming, surfing, netball and field hockey were some of her favourite pastimes. After graduating from Aranui High School, Lew worked at Telecom New Zealand where she made lifelong friends and had many laughs at the BBC. 
In 1979 she set off on her overseas adventure, traveling extensively through Europe and the U.K. It was during that trip that she met the love of her life, Peter McMillan and in 1981 she moved to Vancouver, Canada where they were soon married.
After a successful career at the Bank of Montreal, Lew embarked on what she considered the most rewarding phase of her life, raising her children Andrew and Christina. She immersed herself in their activities, volunteering at Grauer Elementary School, Hugh Boyd Secondary School, Seafair Hockey, Richmond Rugby, and countless more. Her kids thought of her as Supermom and she was exactly that.
Throughout her life, Lew gathered friends everywhere she went. She fondly referred to them all as “her girls”; the Mum’s Group, the Grauer girls, the neighbourhood girls, the hockey girls, the YVR girls, and the Kiwi girls. Her sense of humour is irreplaceable and no tea time or walking date will be quite the same again.
Taken too soon, Lew passed away in Richmond, B.C. at the age of 63. Mourning her loss are Peter, Andrew and Christina as well as sister-in-law Marie (John) and brother-in-law Allan (Pern), and her family in New Zealand, mother Diana and brothers Grant (Ilze) and Warren (Tina).
A Celebration of Life will be held at Quilchena Golf and Country Club on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018 at 2:00PM. In lieu of flowers Lew requested donations to www.alzheimer.ca or www.lungcancercanada.ca in her name.
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Carol Good
Fond memories always. Be strong and remember her love and laughter.
Peter Moonen
Lew always provided an uplifting presence at our extended family events. Quick to laugh, smile, cajole and banter (a necessity in our family) she was also a voice of reason, practicality and compassion. We miss her greatly. God bless you, Lew, and your family everywhere.
Kim Smith
Hold tight to memories for comfort,
lean on friends for strength and
remember how much you are all cared about.
Lew was always “there for me” and I’m here for you. Kim
Cheryl and Don Wise
Lew, it was an honour to be one of your kiwi girls. Your sense of fun and laughter will be unforgettable and the world a lesser place with your loss. You were like a magnet drawing friends around you everywhere you went and your recent visit in April suddenly becomes all the more precious. To Pete, Andrew and Christina, your loss is immense but I hope in time bearable and you only remember the good times. Our hearts and thoughts are with you.
Love, best wishes and thanks for the memories.
Heather and Brent Bell
Lew left us far too soon but we are all the richer for having had the chance to touch and be touched by her. Lew’s kindness and laughter will live forever in our hearts, as do each and every one of you. Sending you so much love.
Mary-Ann Gaston
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman. How lucky we were to meet your family in Puerto Vallarta when the kids were young. Such wonderful times and so much laughter. My heart is heavy at the loss of such a special person. When I think of Lew, I think of laughter and fun. I’m sure she would want us to carry on in that fashion.
Michelle & Roland Thomas
My Dearest Friend whom I met at YVR when we were both employed with Marquise Customer Service as Ambassador’s in November of 2009, ready to host the world for the Winter Olympics in 2010. We instantly hit it off, me being new to Canada and a BRIT, Lew you will always be in my heart and I think of you daily when I walk through the terminal, I can see you now standing at the PRE-LINK Counter and your welcome ‘HEY DOLL How are you doing’, will always make me smile, me you & Loretta(Miss Sunwing) were the ‘THE GOLDEN GIRLS’.
Pete Andrew & Christina we send you our Deepest Sympathy and hope your memories of this Amazing Lady, help you through this difficult and very sad time.
Big Hugs,
Michelle & Roland x x
Michelle & Roland Thomas
Pete Andrew & Christina,
Our Deepest Sympathy to you all at this time, focus on the Amazing Family Time you spent Together and may this help you through days ahead.
Michelle & Roland x x x
Donna Kuchelema
Dear McMillan family
My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you re the loss of your beloved Lew. Very saddened to hear of her passing.
I worked with Lew at Bank of Montreal and always enjoyed her extraordinary sense of humour. We always had lots of laughs.
Most sincerely, Donna Kuchelema
Phil Summerell
I only knew Lew for a short while. She was a breath of fresh air in this stuffy old world. She had a funny dry wit. Much like the British sense of humour. You felt so at ease when you were in her company. Relaxed and calm. she was so kind and helpful to My Fiancé Kim and I, When Kim was very ill. Great company to dine out with, and an honour to call her friend
I send my condolences to Pete, Andrew and Christina.
Kilyn
“Tea is on, door is open”
And oh how I miss her.
Love Ki
Hogarth-Davis family
We met when our boys were young and on skates. Fast flowed the rink years, camping years, barbecues, and the clarion call of “pools open”. Our kids grew up, and our friendship grew as well.
Our thoughts are with Peter, Andrew and Christina, at this sad time. Hold tight to all the good memories of a wonderful, beautiful woman. Missed and never forgotten.
All our love
Peter, Ki, TK and Kira
Bruce & Tara Wells
Although we met Lew only on a couple of occasions, we did get the opportunity to spend a bit of time with her and Pete in Maui. It was fun and Lew’s personality and sense of humor made it even more enjoyable. Take care Pete, Andrew and Christina.
Kaye Cruickshank
I remember her happy nature when I first met her in Raro all those years ago.
My thoughts are with you at this time
Tina’s Mum Kaye.
Viv
Cups of tea and lots of laughter come to mind when I think of Lew. Sundays will not be the same without our morning walks – I will love and miss you forever, dear friend. An unimaginable loss for you, Pete, Andrew and Christina, and for Lew’s family in NZ. Love always.
Bev North
LEW, You will never be forgotten. You showed us all so much love and friendship.
Sleep well my dear.
God bless you and your family
B Jewett
Peter, Andrew and Christina
Our deepest sympathies to the entire family and all Lew’s many friends. I met Lew at the Grauer PAC and our paths continued to cross until our boys graduated from Hugh Boyd. She was a warm, open, accepting lady who made you feel comfortable immediately. We need more Lews in this world. She is gone far too young.
The Jewett Family
Jerry and Barb Sihota
Lew was a joy to be around and we will miss her. Our sincerest condolences to you all and we hope that fond memories of her laugh and joy of life will help you through this very difficult time.
Liz Harvie (Picken)
Lew was my true Best friend, my voice of reason and my confidant! As she always said, “we were each other’s Therapists”! We experienced many adventures together; through our daughters school years and all their sports activities, our favorite jaunts with our husbands to the cabin at Pressy Lake, Whistler, Painted Boat and our travels to Rarotonga, our many dinners together , swims in the pool , afternoon tea times, our Costco runs & Tim Horton stops, shopping trips to Bellingham and our mid-night runs to Walmart at Christmas time for last minute stocking stuffers. These memories are endless and ones that will be cherished always. I am so grateful for the time we spent together. We shared a common bond; immigrants to Canada at a younger age, our sense of humor, love for licorice allsorts & ginger snaps were bound by my British and her Kiwi backgrounds. Nothing will ever compare to the tears & stomach ache received from laughing with Lew. I loved her dearly and she will be forever in my heart. Now it’s up to our daughter’s to carry on the legacy of our friendship, adding to their continued adventures full of love and laughter, resulting in more hilarious stories to tell.
Pete, Andrew and Christina, my love is with you always.
Rae and Stewart Milne
My dear life long friend has gone. 60 years of friendship and the chain is broken. You will always share a special place in my heart Lew. You were a beautiful person who made life fun.
Our heartfelt sympathy to Peter Andrew Christina and The Cameron family.
No words can express our sadness at Lew’s passing.
Love to you all.
Rae and Stewart
Patsy Miller (Robinson)
Dearest Lew
60 years of friendship!
Memories of all our childhood antics at Waitaki Street. Our hitch hiking holiday we had to give up because your “thumb” turned red with embarrassment!
Our Australian holiday where we then went on our separate ways for 30 years. You living in Canada and me in Zimbabwe but when we caught up again in 2004 we picked up from where we left off!
What laughs we kiwi girls had in March on your last visit home.
Fly free Lew Lew.
Condolences to Pete,Andrew and Christina and to Diana, Grant, Warren and families.
Cathie Martin
Pete, Andrew, Christina and extended families.
Farewell to Dear Lew. Our friendship goes back 60 odd years also and I am absolutely saddened to hear from Warren of Lew’s illness and subsequent passing. Our years at Central New Brighton School and then at Shortland Academy of Higher Learning (Aranui High) were bright and happy days. From reading through this memorial I can feel the love from all the friends who’s life Lew has touched and whom she has managed to stay in close with over the years and the miles. It just goes to show that love knows no bounds. This Christmas just gone I did not send a Christmas card as normal but sent a little letter with butterflies which I hope arrived in time. I enjoyed catching up last year with Lew and some of the girls from our earlier years and was so looking forward to a longer visit this year. My thoughts are with you all and I know in time you will find the strength to carry Lew’s humour and love of life on. Keep her in your hearts and remember well the laughter and good times. Much love to you all.
Randy and Linda Hopkins
Our hearts go out too you and your family during this difficult time. May your memories of Lew give you peace and comfort.
Beryl and John
We have such loving memories of our dear friend Lew (a.k.a. B.D.). She was one of a kind and we will miss her.
Love and sympathy to Pete, Andrew and Christina.
Bruce and Gayle Imrie
We are so very sorry for your loss. These days will be difficult and we pray the fond memories and the love you hold for each other will sustain you this difficult time.
Leanne Hers
So many memories from “Mum’s group…or CRS (Can’t Remember Shit as Lew always called it) with the kids at Halloween parties and Lew’s famous pumpkin soup. Her genuine smile and laughter will always be remembered whether meeting at Safeway or in the neighborhood on a walk on a summer’s evening. Lew always invited everyone to her home and you knew you could “pop in” anytime for a cup of tea! I will miss her dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with you Pete, Christina and Andrew…Lots of Love
The Harris Family
Words at this time will never be enough to soothe your pain.
We hope that you will hold this thought though close to your hearts. Lew has always been the brightest of lights with her beautiful smiles, compassionate heart, joy of life and love of her family.
When we think of her we smile. She is a treasure we will always hold close to us all, blessed for the time we were given to be her friends.
Love to all of you, Colin, Gail, Chris and Scott
Margaret Jackson
John and I (Mags and Nossie) could not know that when we met Lew in 1979, that it would be the start of a wonderful friendship that would last almost 40 years despite us living half a world apart for most of that time. We 3 Kiwis flatted together in London and shared so many fun times including a trip to Scotland to follow the All Blacks. Once our kids had grown, the friendship became more than phone calls and emails as we planned annual holidays together with Pete and Lew. We have had the pleasure of their hospitality in Vancouver in 2013, 2014, a holiday together on Maui in 2016 and the catch-ups when Lew and Pete have visited NZ.
We are devastated at Lew’s passing, a beautiful soul gone too soon. We will never forget her wonderful warm personality and her fun-loving nature and we pray that the precious memories that you have as a family and that you hear about through Lew’s aquaintances sharing their memories will sustain you through this difficult time. Our love and prayers are with you Pete, Andrew and Christina.
Out of a world of suffering and into a garden of rest,
God’s garden must be beautiful as He only takes the best.
Love you now and forever my darling Lewie. Rest in peace xox
Sharon and Bill norhaug
Our thoughts are with you at this time. Lew was always so much fun to be with. I especially remember our road trip to whistler when we were having alternating hot flashes. Man, that girl had a sense of humour. She was a strong woman and a great person to be around. Take care and remember the good times as much a you can.
Sharon and Bill norhaug
The Bajkov Family
So many wonderful memories of our happy times with Lew and the McMillan family – from the many excursions to Manning Park to adventures in Mexico with our young children. Lew was a wonderful lady that we all wanted to be around, to listen, to laugh. We all miss you so much Lew. To Peter, Andrew and Christina – we are with you as Lew will always stay in our hearts.
Brent, Coleen, Kyle & Kaleena Cheal
Peter, Andrew and Christina,
Our most deepest sympathies to you, Lew’s family and friends. It is with great fondness that we remember Lew… her sense of humour, her smile, her laugh and her compassion. A beautiful soul and true friend that has been taken too soon. Hold on tight to the memories you share, they will help you through each day ahead. We will miss her so much, rest in peace Lew Lew Belle. Love and big hugs to you all, Brent, Coleen, Kyle & Kaleena Cheal
Marje and Fred Lewis
We were so shocked and saddened to hear of Lew’s passing. She was such a wonderful woman, smiling, happy and fun-loving over the many years we have known her and Pete. We met all too infrequently and never did get to share the fish and chip dinner we always said we would. Our love goes out to Peter, Andrew and Christina.
Barry & Joanne Cheal
Our dear sweet Lew is gone and our trips to Vancouver will never be the same again. Barry met Lew a couple hours before Peter so he says! I met Lew a couple days after she arrived in Vancouver. I was so excited to meet this wonderful woman who stole Pete’s heart. I soon found out how easily that was done. Lew was so adorable and I loved her accent. We spent time trying to figure out the supermarket and to match up Lew’s names of products she was looking for to what we called it here in Canada. She always joked that she would write a book about Canadian terminology for Kiwis! When I think of Lew, I try not to cry. I remember the long talks we had and the laughs. Tea and talks were always very insightful times. Lew was a great listener too!
We had so much fun on ski trips to Whistler & Manning Park. Visits to the Sunshine Coast to the cabin and Roadrunner hockey games and events not to mention raising our kids together. Although we moved away Lew & Peter and Christina & Andrew were always part of our extended family and always will be.
We will miss you Lew Lew, you have left a hole in our hearts and wonderful memories to cherish. Pete, Christina & Andrew, Diana, Grant & Warren it was a great honor to have known Lew. Barry & I send our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to you. May Lew rest in peace until she meets you all again one day.
Hugs and love always, Barry & Joanne Cheal
Heidi Pukalo
It is hard to believe that three weeks has already passed since Lew went to meet the angels. I can imagine her serving tea and watching over her family, sending messages of love and support. A great friend that will truly be missed. My heartfelt condolences to Pete, Andrew and Christina.
Lindsay Cheal
My deepest condolences to Uncle Peter, Andrew, Christina, and all of the friends and family that so fiercely loved Auntie Lew. She was always there with open arms, the kindest of hearts, the sharpest of wits and the no-BS-honest-truth you needed. No matter the time that passed between visits she always was a source of comfort and love and I can’t tell you how much I will miss her. I think of her so often and am sending lots of love to those that also feel the void that is now there because she is not.
Always so much love,
Her goddaughter Lindsay
(Kyle, Sienna and Zoey)
Susan Schmitz
Susan, Bob, Tanner, Hayden & Carson Schmitz
We met when Tanner & Andrew were learning to swim. Neither was good during those first attempts at Beginner 1. We became friends signing up repeatedly for Beginner one. Our friendship grew from that time and we soon discovered the boys preferred the water to be frozen. Hockey came next and memories continued to grow.
Many memories will be with us always when we think of Lew. Laughter and smiles! Lew will always be Auntie Lew to our family.
Pete, Andrew & Christina, may your hearts be comforted with memories forever and always!
Love to you all
The Schmitz Family
Margie Laing
A Beautiful lady. So lucky to have known both you and Pete. Loved our holidays in Rarotonga and our Raro get togethers in Christchurch. Such fun. Both of you were so kind to my Beckie and Nic just starting out on their big OE, letting them stay with you in Vancouver. Biggest hugs to Pete, Andrew & Christina ox
Laurie and Dave MacDonald
We will always remember her smiles, laughter and huge heart and know that these memories will be with us always. We raise a glass of wine, or a cup of tea, in memory of Lew and send our love and best wishes to Lew and all her family.
The Brady Family
We were so fortunate to have had Lew as a friend and a neighbour. So many wonderful memories of times spent with her. Almost all involve laughter, of course. She enriched the lives of so many with her warmth, compassion and humour.
Annette Wilkinson and Reid Boynton
We were very sad to hear of Lew’s illness and consequent passing away. We were very privileged to have spent some time with Lew and Pete last year on our visit to Vancouver. While Lew was a lifetime friend of my sister she extended the olive branch to Reid and myself to make our time in Vancouver very enjoyable. Our sincere sympathies to Pete and family.
Kent Campbell
Hello Peter, my old friend.
While I am somewhat late here, I was so sorry to hear of Lew’s passing as I was Googling in search of you. It has been many years since seeing you and as our lives have taken a different track, I often think back to the hours/days/weeks that we spent together during our school years in the old “hood”. While I only met Lew once or twice I saw in her a wonderful person and I was so pleased to see that you had found each other and gone on to raise a couple of kids.
I don’t know whether you will see this, but if you do please look me up as I would love to re-connect with you.. I am pretty sure many memories could be brought up over a beer or two.
Looking forward to hearing from you
Kent