JANICE THOMSON MILLS's Obituary
MILLS, Janice Thomson, 62, beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and accomplished musician, passed away Monday, November 11, after a tragic fall at the University of Miami Maurice Gusman Concert Hall prior to a performance in the Greater Miami Symphonic Band. Janice had a lifelong passion for music, often performing solos on the oboe and English horn. She was born and raised in Coral Gables where she graduated from West Lab Elementary, Ponce de Leon Junior High School, and Coral Gables High School (Class of ’75). She was a member of Gables High’s Band of Distinction and Symphonic Band and the University of Florida’s (UF) Gator Marching and Symphonic Band. She earned a BA in Design in Architecture at UF, and a master’s in Education at the University of Central Missouri. At Van Horn High School in Independence, Missouri, Janice oversaw the implementation of Project Lead the Way, a national STEM education program designed to empower students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. She then brought her great desire to teach and inspire students to Mater Academy Charter Middle-High in Hialeah Gardens where she often called the parents of students to tell them how well they did in class. She loved seeing the joy students displayed when understanding a new concept. She wanted them to believe in themselves and to consider the engineering and science fields. Janice was involved in her local Coral Gables community where she currently served on the city’s Historic Preservation Board, was active in the Woman’s Club, as well as the local chapter of DAR, and the Alumni Association of her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. She was also a lifetime member of Granada Presbyterian Church where her music solos were often a highlight at holiday services. Often described as vivacious, talented, and giving, Janice lived a life of connection, often encouraging others with her warmth, ready smile, and distinctive laugh. She was active on Facebook where at the top of her page she wrote, “I want to live a beautiful purposeful life.” Janice is survived by her husband, Steven Gale, her parents, former Coral Gables Mayor Dorothy Thomson and attorney Col. John Thomson, her daughter Quinn Mills, son Paul Mills and wife Alana, and their daughters, Mason, Ruby, and Nora, her siblings and their spouses and families Joanne (Bill) Talley, June (Allen) Morris, and Robert (Kimberly) Thomson. Visitation begins at 5pm on Sunday, November 17, at Granada Presbyterian Church, 950 University Drive, Coral Gables, with a memorial service at 6 pm followed by a reception. In lieu of Flowers, the family requests donations be given to the [Tim Tebow Foundation] https://timtebowfoundation.org/#/ZALVUMAHZE. Anyone who knew Janice knew her great love of the Gators and for Tim Tebow, whom she admired for his strength of character and commitment to making the world a better place through faith, hope, and love.
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