Vada Maxine Millar
August 8, 1931 - February 22, 2021
Vada Millar was born on August 8, 1931 in Lydic, Indiana to Robert and Millicent Brown. She attended local area schools and shortly after graduation from high school she met Robert Millar. They were married on January 29, 1948 and were married for 29 years until Robert's death in 1977.
Vada and Robert Millar moved to San Luis Obispo early in their marriage. Robert attended California State Polytechnic College, San Luis Obispo. Vada worked in clerical jobs on campus. Vada always remembered that time fondly. Together, with their children, they developed a lifelong affinity for the ocean and the central coast of California.
Robert's career took them from San Luis Obispo to Ontario, Ca. and, finally in 1956, they settled in Wasco. They had 5 children: Martha Louise, Martha, Janet, Rebecca and Todd. The Millar's lost their first daughter, Martha Louise, at birth.
Vada was very involved in local community, PTA and church activities as well as supporting all the events in which her children participated. Vada was the driving force behind getting libraries in Wasco elementary schools. When her youngest child, Todd, started school Vada took a job as the librarian at Palm Ave Elementary School. She worked in that position for over a decade. Books, reading and imagination were always important to her. She brought her love of books and stories to so many young children as they passed through her library. Many of you that attended Palm Ave will remember Vada being absent during the days before Halloween and the "witch" that substituted for her reading scary stories.
When Vada retired from Palm Ave, she opened a cake decorating and candy making store called the Sugar Shack in Bakersfield. She loved to share and teach and many a talented cake decorator got their start from her lessons. Many of you may have had the pleasure of having your wedding or birthday cakes made by Vada.
Vada was preceded in death by her two sisters and her brother as well as her husband, Robert. She is survived by her daughters, Martha, Janet and Rebecca and her son, Todd as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition, to mourn her passing are Vada's beloved nieces and nephews, 'added children' as well as life-long friends both here and in Indiana. We would also like to acknowledge and express our gratitude to her caregivers, Yvette, Alma, Minerva, Tracie and Rebecca. We all will miss her and cherish all the stories, imagination, creativity she left with us.
If you would like to share a memory of Vada you can leave comments in her guestbook at- missionfamilymortuary.com. In lieu of flowers please donate to one of these organizations that reflect important aspects of Vada's life: Court Appointed Special Advocates of Kern, Kern Literacy Council, Noel Alexandria Foundation for Pregnancy and Infant Loss.