Mildred Ruth Cottrill Deans

You are missed already.
Your gift of sewing shall live on.
Love,
Your Niece, Judy

Our dear Millie – how we miss you! You brought us such great joy and fun with your sparkling humor and colorful “West Viginy Hilly Billy” sayings and stories. You had amazing zest for living and serving – doing for others. We cherish your colorful sewn creations: quilts, aprons, potholders, Christmas stockings, Christmas decorations, muumuus, bibs, wall decorations – there seemed to be no end of what you could imagine and sew. At times you produced like a factory enough gifts for every sister and child in the two wards as well as other friends and family. You collected used clothing to send to needy people back in Appalachia. You cooked and hosted many a delicious meal and made peanut butter fudge to fatten up all your friends. You amazed us with your determination to work and do for others at 90 plus years of age. You never let age, health, failing sight, or any other problem hold you back or use as an excuse to sit and take it easy.
You studied and prepared yourself to go to the Temple in Washington D.C. where you received your endowment. We cherish our experiences of traveling with you many times to the temple. And you astounded us by insisting on serving us a dinner each time we returned. Although much younger, I felt too tired to attempt such a feat, but you never let us persuade you not to do it!
You looked after neighbors decades younger than yourself – caring for their physical and emotional needs and becoming a truly trusted friend to them.
You had, lived and expressed great faith as you lived courageously your last years on earth. You are a role model to me how to live well in my advancing years. If I do half as well as you, I’ll be grateful. Thank you Millie for being Millie and sharing the advanced (golden years) of your life with us!
Now you’ve just gone on up the road “a piece” ahead of us. I look forward to meeting you again someday.
Love,
Judith