Obituary of Ruth Mills

Ruth M. Mills, matriarch of the Mills family, passed away with her large family at her bedside on Thursday morning, October 10, 2013. She was 88 years old. Ruth was born in East Boston, the daughter of the late David and Agnes Lear. She grew up in Medford and was a graduate of Medford High School. She married Norman Mills in 1946. In 1953 they chose to move to a small town, Burlington, which had a population of about 1500. They rented a home while they had a new home built. Ruth worked as an assembler at Raytheon in Waltham for a number of years before becoming a full-time homemaker. Ruth gave her time as a volunteer at the school libraries where her children attended. She was a very active member of St. Malachy’s Church, where she worshipped, taught religious education, and was a member of the Morgairs Club. She and her husband were exceptional dancers and taught dance classes. Ruth’s proudest achievement was her family. She was blessed to have a strong bond with her children, daughter and son-in-laws, 12 grandchildren and 13 and counting great-grandchildren. Ruth had a zest for life and a strong commitment to her family. She was a talented seamstress and knitter and shared this talent with her family. She made her own and her children’s clothes. Over her 88 years, she made afghans, mittens, hats, and blankets for her children, grandchildren , and great-grandchildren. She and husband Norman owned a cottage on Arlington Pond in Salem, New Hampshire. The cottage has been the Mills’ summer gathering place for decades. Nothing gave Ruth more joy than seeing her family sharing each other’s company, having fun, laughing, and keeping a strong family bond. The cottage bulged at the seams so some would pitch tents just to have a place to sleep. The same was true for her home in Burlington. Her kitchen table was 14 feet long. Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve could include 40 seated for dinner. She enjoyed being on the go, water and snow skiing along with her children and grandchildren. She loved to travel, the Bahamas being one of her favorite and most visited destinations. She had many good friends with whom she enjoyed bowling and going out to lunch. Ruth’s memory will always bring a smile to those she loved. Ruth was the loving wife of the late Norman E. Loving mother of Norman Mills, Jr. & his wife Jane of Salem, NH and the Villages, FL, Richard & his wife Andrea of Salem, NH, Paul of Burlington, Brian & his wife Kathleen of Westford, and Patricia Semeter & her husband Thomas of Westford. Mother-in-law of Joanne Mills of Tewksbury. Sister of David Lear of Braintree. Sister-in-law of Kenneth and Mary Mills of Ft. Pierce, FL. Proud grandmother of Julie Poirier, Jon, Matthew, Kathryn, David, Shannon & Brianna Mills, Andrea Caputo, Kristin O’Keefe, Patrick, Ryan, and Kayleigh Semeter. Also survived by 13 great grandchildren. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Tuesday, October 15 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of the Resurrection in St. Malachy’s Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Monday from 4-8 p.m. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ruth’s name may be made to the Alternative Leisure Company (an organization providing recreation for people with disabilities), 165 Middlesex Turnpike, Suite 206, Bedford, MA 01730.