Milagros “Millie” Barris, 72, passed away peacefully on Tuesday July 17, 2018. Millie was born in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, on Nov 4, 1945 to Benigno Velazquez-Cruz and Juana Ocasio-Rojas of Sector Ocasio, Jaguar, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.
She was the oldest sibling to Diana Luz Velazquez, Cesar Velazquez and Benigno “Junior” Velazquez. Millie leaves behind her daughter Rachel Rivera and her husband Cesar A Rivera Jr, and son Ariel Sean Robinson. She also leaves behind a large extended family who appreciated her kindness, her infectious laughter, and her ability to tell a story.
She adored spending all of her time with her great-granddaughter Gabriella “Gabby” Grace, calling her granddaughter Kelly Raquel to ask if she could pick up “Mona” (“Monkey”—Gabby’s nickname) and always offering her car to her grandson Cesar David. Millie had a great love for sewing and quilting—ask any of her nieces and nephews. Millie was quick to fix a garment or hem a pair of pants when she heard someone needed as much. At any given moment she would whip up a hand-made quilt or a receiving baby blanket (“adult size” she would say “because the ones at the stores are so tiny.”) Millie was a nurse for quite some time at St Elizabeth Health Care and St Francis Hospital until a work injury led her to become a Parent Aide serving DCF Families. But her love and passion for nursing ran through her blood and she found her way back as a CNA working for Masonicare as a Home Health Aide until retirement age. She served as an Apprentice Usher with honors at Crossroad Community Cathedral (CCC) welcoming all attendees to Saturday service as well as taking attendance and ensuring all was in place for the ushers that served alongside her. She loved spending time with the Keenagers in her church and attended many of the church trips.
Visiting hours will be held on July 25, 2018 from 9:00-11:00am at Glastonbury Funeral Home 450 New London Turnpike Glastonbury, CT 06033. A home-going service will follow visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Crossroad Community Cathedral/Beyond the Walls Campaign 1492 Silver Ln, East Hartford, CT 06118 www.myccc.church/give/ways-to-give/. For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit www.Glastonburyfuneral.com
