Obituary of Jessica Mills

With extreme sadness, the family announces that Jessica Joyce Mills, age 44, passed away from metastatic breast cancer at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Ottawa, with loved ones by her side, on Monday evening, March 10th, 2025. Born June 5th, 1980 in Montreal, Jessica attended John Rennie High School, John Abbott CEGEP and Concordia University.

Beloved wife of Rafael Pimentel Fernandes. Adored and devoted Mom of Ben (age 3). Dearest daughter of Joanne Mills (nee Neale) and the late David Mills. Much loved sister of Christopher Mills (Anisha) and Catherine Mills (James Kamau). Cherished Aunt Jessica of Neale Kamau. Forever loved and fondly remembered by her many wonderful friends around the world. Her death has left a void for family, friends and all those whose lives were touched by her.

Jessica was diagnosed with breast cancer 4 years ago, while pregnant, and was a fierce and vocal advocate for breast cancer screening and public health care. We ask that you remember her not for the way her life ended, but for the way it was lived—with so much energy, empathy and thoughtfulness. She packed a lot into her too short years.

Jessica took a winding road to find her calling as a foreign service officer for the Canadian Government. After a Master’s in history, she worked at Dawson College, restored a historic home in Montreal and began as an administrative assistant at Global Affairs Canada, where she was recruited into the foreign service as a Management Consular Officer. Jessica took deep pride in and excelled in her work, and in helping Canadians abroad. She served in both Nairobi, Kenya and Brasilia, Brazil. Her colleagues, even those who knew her only briefly, remember her professionalism, level-headedness and most of all her kindness. In any emergency or disaster, everyone wanted ‘Mills’ on their side.

 Her hobbies, interests and passions are too many to list, but she was an avid traveller and adventurer, and a beautiful writer and public advocate, with several op-eds published in the newspaper. She rarely said no to an adventure—her chase from a baboon in South Africa, her marathon on the Great Wall of China or her participation, fully costumed, in Rio’s Carnival are only a few examples. Her biggest adventure, as mother to her adored little boy, was her favourite.  She had a rare gift for calming and reassuring those around her, and left an impact on everyone she met. A wonderful spirit has left us far too soon.

Jessica’s final care and arrangements have been entrusted to the Pilon Family of Arnprior.

In her memory and in lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the trust fund for Jessica’s son, Benjamin.

https://gofund.me/fe52d683