Mildred Driver

Mildred Jean Driver (née Pruner) passed away on January 19, 2024, in Edgewood, NM at the age of 93. She was born in Edson, AB Canada on November 25, 1930 to Ernest and Jane Pruner. Mildred developed a passion and notable talent for figure skating at a young age, and was quite accomplished. Eventually, Mildred's skill advanced beyond the coaching she could receive in Edson and she was invited to move to Edmonton for intensive training expanding her figure skating opportunities. Unfortunately, her father would not permit it as she was needed at home to care for her disabled mother. To make it up to her, he bought her a piano and her love of music was born. Mildred taught herself to play and became very accomplished, eventually serving as the congregational pianist at her church for many years.

Mildred married James Stanley ("Stan") Chappell in February 1950. The couple had three children: Ernest (Ernie), Jean and Clarence. Life and circumstances found Mildred moving several times across southern Alberta. She later married Raymond ("Ray") Driver for whom she moved to the United States, and eventually became a US citizen in 1996. Mildred and Ray made their life together in Washington state where she took advantage of all the rain and indulged her green thumb. Their yard was always full of flowers and an annual vegetable garden. Mildred especially enjoyed being able to walk out in the yard, pluck a pod of pole peas for a snack while tossing the pods to the dogs for their treat.

Perhaps what Mildred was best known for was her culinary skill - home cooking at its best. She was famous for her English shortbread (baked from her Mom's recipe) and sauerkraut. It wasn't a Church potluck without her coleslaw. And if you were invited over for "turkey dinner," it wasn't just turkey and mashed potatoes. You got a full buffet of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, fried parsnips, carrots, Spanish rice, pickled beets ... the list goes on. Often the meal was concluded with her special apricot upside down cake with "clear sauce." She passed her recipes on to any who asked, but especially to her kids who will now always be able to have Mum's favorites and recall the flavors from her kitchen. Mildred amassed a large collection of cookbooks, and scattered across her possessions tucked into books, drawers, envelopes, shoe boxes and unsuspecting places were recipes she received from others or clipped from magazines, newspapers and anywhere else she found them.

Mildred is survived by her children Ernie Chappell and wife Amanda of Nashville, TN; Jean Suvan and husband Bob of London, England; Clarence Chappell and wife Julie of Edgewood, NM; and grandchildren Andrew ("A.J.") Suvan; Evan, Elliott and Emerson Chappell.

Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Driver; parents, Ernest and Jane Pruner; her siblings, Howard Pruner, Mahlon Pruner, and Kay Patrick; and her former husband, Stan Chappell.

One of Mildred's favorite treats was McDonald's milkshakes. For years, until her vision no longer allowed it, she read a chapter of Proverbs every day. As a tribute to Mildred, and in lieu of flowers, the family requests that you treat yourself to a milkshake and read a chapter of Proverbs.