Millie left this world in much the same way she lived her life, sweet, thankful and smiling. She was able to say her goodbyes and slip off peacefully with a full heart.
She was born in Piccadilly, New Brunswick, the fourth of eight children born to Sam and Della Wortman. The family moved to Sussex when Millie was a teenager and in later years she and her children continued to spend many summer weeks on the farm where her parents lived out their lives. There was always a steady and loving stream of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Millie worked for a while in Montreal, then moved to Massachusetts and went to Nursing School at Beverly Hospital. She met her husband Bob through friends and they spent nearly 65 years together mostly on Pine Street in Manchester. They raised their children in Manchester, and hosted the most memorable 4th of July parties for many generations of family and friends. It was always the best day of the year.
Bob and Millie loved to travel, especially with Millie’s sister and brother-in-law Helen and Nepo Trepanier of Hamilton, MA. Helen was her best friend and we know she is so happy to be reunited with her again. After almost 50 years of winter vacations in Florida Bob and Millie also amassed an amazing group of friends that became like family.
Perhaps her greatest role was as “Gammy” to Alex, Anny and Chris. She was born for that role, and lived just a few doors away on Pine St. She was so fortunate to meet all their wonderful partners/spouses and thrilled to get to know her great-grandchildren as well.
Bob and Millie moved to Brooksby Village in Peabody in 2020 where they enjoyed a wonderful community of friends. Millie brought light, love and positivity wherever she went and was beloved by all. She was predeceased by her husband Bob and her son David as well as her parents and her five siblings, Bill, Bob, Martha, Harold and Helen, their spouses and so many dear friends.
Millie leaves her daughter MaryAnn and her son-in-law Gregg Genis of Ipswich; her beloved grandchildren Alex Carr and his wife Madison of West Peabody, MA, Anny Suggs and her husband Tyler of Newburyport and Chris Carr and his girlfriend Amy Coyne of Dublin, Ireland. She had two beautiful bonus grand-daughters Nicole Murray and her husband Mark of Shrewsbury and Becky Genis and her partner Justin Davis of Woburn. She got incredible joy from her great-granddaughters Murphy Margaret Carr and Etta Mairead Suggs, her eyes just danced whenever they were around. She was also so entertained by the antics of Nicole’s three wonderful boys - Owen and twins Mark and Miles.
She also leaves her dear sister Eva Ropp of Drayton, Ontario and her brother Doug Wortman (Dawn) of Sussex Corner, NB and her in-laws Dick and Priscilla Singleton of Manchester, Bette and Warren Anderson of Danvers and Pat McManus of Old Saybrook, CT.
Millie had dozens of nieces and nephews and loved having Facebook to keep track of them all. She had a special relationship with her niece Michelle Trepanier of Wenham and great-niece Kelsea Currier of Beverly. She went on her last trip to Sussex last September at the age of 93 to see her loving, close-knit family one final time and it was truly a special visit for us all.
All are welcome to a celebration of life in Manchester-by-the-Sea on Friday, March 28th at 10 a.m. at the American Legion. She loved looking out at the water and we think she’d enjoy everyone doing the same perhaps with a glass of white zinfandel. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich, MA. Information and online condolences at www.Campbellfuneral.com.
