Mildred "Millie" DeGroot

Mildred "Millie" Louise DeGROOT Millie was born on June 8, 1928 in Portland, OR and passed away peacefully on September 9, 2010 at her home in Burien, WA. Millie was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Dorothea, sister Dorothy Ann, brother Ned and daughter Nancy. She is survived by her husband Edward, three children David (wife Susan), Linda (husband Rocky), and Richard (wife Maureen), and granddaughter Hannah. Millie graduated from Vancouver High School and attended Clark College. She transferred to Oregon State University and graduated in 1951 with a degree in business. She was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and played clarinet in the school's marching band. During her senior year, she and Edward first met on a blind date. She continued her schooling at Oregon College of Education and graduated in 1952 with a degree in music education. During the 1952-1953 school year, she taught music at several elementary schools in Coos Bay, OR. After their wedding on July 25, 1953, she and Edward moved to The Dalles, OR. During the 1953-1954 school year Millie taught music at elementary schools in Dufur, OR and Rufus, OR. They moved to Walla Walla, WA in 1954 and on to Seattle, WA in 1955 where they have resided ever since. Millie's family remembers her most for being the loving mother to all of her children especially her developmentally disabled daughter Nancy who had many special needs. Millie and a group of parents with developmentally disabled children founded United Friends Group Homes in 1974 to build family focused adult living facilities. Today, United Friends Group Homes operates three homes housing 22 residents. Millie served over 30 years on the Board of Directors including 11 years as president. Millie was the recipient of the Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Service Award in 1992 and the United Friends Group Homes Certificate of Appreciation Award in 2006. Millie pursued her lifelong interest in music by playing clarinet in the Highline Community Band. Parkinson's disease forced her to retire after performing over 20 years in the Band. A funeral service will be held for Millie at 1:00 PM Saturday, September 18 at the Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 6701 30th Avenue Southwest, Seattle, WA 98126. The casket will be open for viewing one-hour prior to the service and a reception will immediately follow the service. After the reception, Millie will be entombed at the Forest Lawn Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to United Friends Group Homes Endowment Fund, Post Office Box 17017, Seattle, WA 98127, or to a charity of your choice.