Mildred Louise Chipukits

Born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania Mildred Louise Benn grew up in the small coal-mining village of Fredericktown, Pennsylvania. Millie and her mother and father moved around during her early years as the Depression made work scarce. Her father, however, continued to find work as an electrician in the mines surrounding the Monongahela River, where she grew up as the class artist, including the art for her 1953 yearbook. During childhood, she was given piano lessons by her aunt Midred (and namesake), and after high school, she attended nursing school by the generosity of another, Aunt, Louise (thus her middle name). Nursing, music and art would remain as windows to her life as Millie Benn sought the joyful side of life even when life was hard.

She married Leslie Robert Howick (Bob), a disc jockey and newsman, and produced two sons, David Lee Howick (1961), and Richard Kevin Howick (1964). It is a very hard thing to admit that a marriage is beyond repair, but Millie began again with her boys, and met and married Edward L. Chipukits, and in 1968 set out in a pick-up truck camper for California where the new family set up house in Norwalk. Transitions are not always easy, and the new marriage was at times difficult, but Millie worked as a Nurse as Ed worked and then founded his own shop as a pattern-maker, and the family prospered. Dave graduated from Cal State Fullerton (and would go on later for his Master’s Degree), and Rick would graduate from Cal State Long Beach (and go on later for Master’s Degrees and his Ph.D.). Millie was very proud of her boys, and made sure they knew they were loved.

Millie and Ed retired to the Perris area as Ed woodworked in his garage woodshop and Millie painted and enjoyed piano and friends. The two boys each had children who were close to their grandparents, and after Ed’s death, Millie enjoyed living at home and visiting with her family, especially Sunday dinners which always included just a little wine. She was fond of her own (and everyone else’s) pets, and loved her grandchildren, and she relished their visits especially if they included games of rummy.

Millie thrived at home (though she was on a first name basis with the local fire department), up until the last few weeks when she developed a set of health problems which finally exhausted this strong, independent woman. She is survived by both sons, and her seven grandchildren (Laura, Gina, Karen, John, Becca, Teri and Sarah), and one great-grandchild (Killian). Her children and grandchildren loved her dearly, and she will be sorely missed.

Recently, in a conversation with her grandchildren at a Sunday dinner, she shared with them some of her very private but very strong faith in God, that she prayed for all of them every night, and wanted her family to rest assured that while not as vocal as some, she was a strong lover of God. Her family remains thankful for her life of love and dedication, and the example she gave each of them.