Emily Erin Mills

Emily Erin (Brady) Mills, age 43, died peacefully at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on January 12, 2023, due to pneumonia. Emily was born in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, on May 9, 1979, then moved to Maryland at age 2 years. She grew up in Bethesda, then lived for the past 13 years in Frederick. Emily is survived by her beloved daughter, Ava Marie Mills of Frederick, and her loving parents, Terry and Kathy Brady of Bethesda. In addition, she lived her life in the abundant warmth of a large, extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Emily was dearly loved by her grandparents, Charles and Eileen Brady and Wade and Sibyl McCluggage, who preceded her in death. Emily was a loyal friend to many, and a fierce defender of the underdog and the disadvantaged. She will also be sorely missed by her dog, Paige, and by her cat, Loki. Emily’s marriages to Roger Aikens, Jr. and to Leslie Mills, Jr. ended in divorce.

Emily attended Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, followed by some college classes. She sampled a wide range of career options in her adult life. She found her true calling in medically-oriented work that allowed her to help others. She was a capable ambulance driver, dialysis technician, claims navigator and 911 dispatcher. Emily was especially passionate about serving her community as an emergency medical technician and a volunteer firefighter. More recently, she relished her job as a swim instructor and assistant-manager at a private swim school, until failing health forced her retirement.

Emily shared her father’s love of cars, even trying her hand at a bit of track racing when she was younger. She and her dad made many good memories attending car shows, rallies, and other special automobile-centered events together. She had a talent for crafts, especially jewelry-making and design coloring, and shared her creations generously with friends. Emily’s true happy place was the beach, and she looked forward eagerly to the annual paternal extended family reunion in Corolla, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She also enjoyed many summer retreats in rural Ohio, where she experienced first-hand the joys of gardening from her maternal grandparents.

A service celebrating Emily’s life will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at 1:00 PM with reception to follow, at Emily’s childhood church home, Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, 6601 Bradley Blvd., Bethesda, MD, 20817, www.bradleyhillschurch.org.