Josephine Mills : March 25, 1942 - May 18, 2008
It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of our Founder and former Executive Director, Josephine Mills. Jo, as she was known to her friends and colleagues, was an amazing woman whose vision to improve the lives of those living with Down syndrome inspired countless people.

Born in the UK, Jo moved with her husband and four children to Canada in the 1970s. She received her educational training as a physiotherapist in the UK and worked with many children with Down syndrome in her position as senior physiotherapist at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary. While in this position, Jo quickly realized the lack of services and support for children with Down syndrome and their families and so she tried to help. From a parent support group, to workshops, to conferences, Jo was diligent and tenacious in her quest to improve the lives of individuals and their families.

For more than 30 years Jo dedicated much of her life to this worthy cause. She was the founding chair of the Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) and Down Syndrome International (DSI), and was the visionary force behind the founding of the Down Syndrome Research Foundation (DSRF) in Burnaby. Jo received accolades and honours for her work but I think in her mind her greatest achievement, and the thing she was most proud of, was that she was able to bring so many people from different walks of life, different disciplines and different countries together to share her vision and her dreams.

Jo was more than a boss, mentor or business colleague, she was a very dear friend. We will forever miss her, forever value her guidance and expertise, and carry her memory in our hearts. On behalf of all our staff, our Board, our volunteers and the families we serve, we thank Jo for all she has done, and we thank her family for supporting her in her endeavours. We will continue to build on her vision and ensure her legacy continues to live on.
Sincerely,
Dawn McKenna
Executive Director