Mildred "Millie" Whitmore

Millie was born Mildred M. Joyce on Dec.1, 1922 in London, England. She was the second child of John Joyce of Spiddal, Ireland and Mildred Suddards of South Shields, England. She immigrated to America the following year with her parents and her brother John. They resided on St Lawrence St. on Munjoy Hill where her sister Peggy Joyce O'Leary and brothers Richard and Bobby were born.

Millie graduated from Portland High School. After high school her family benefited from her love of fashion when she went to work at J.E. Palmer. After the store closed she continued her bookkeeping skills at Northeast Cold Storage. When she retired she was able to join in her husband’s love of golf by working at Riverside Golf Course for awhile.

After many years together she and Tussie were married in 1965. She was a devoted wife and they were a handsome couple. They were inseparable. They traveled widely to England and Ireland and spent winters in Arizona. After his death she spent winters in Florida with her brothers and sisters-in-law. She also traveled to Chile to spend time with Ambassador John O'Leary, her nephew.

Although she had no children of her own, she was adored by a massive clan of Joyce's, O'Leary's and Whitmore children to whom she was affectionately known as Aunt Meme. She was a mainstay at family gatherings where her style, beautiful smile, caring manner and infectious laugh always made her the life of the party. Her frequent use of the word "darling" warmed all our hearts.

She was a devout Catholic and belonged to the Sacred Heart Sodality at St. Peters Church and had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother.

She was predeceased by her brother's John and Robert and beloved sister Peggy and sister in law Simone. She leaves behind her brother Richard E. Joyce of Portland and his wife Susan whom she was extremely close to, her sister-in-law Judy Joyce from Wisconsin, and many nieces and nephews, who will always be strengthened by their many memories of her and will greatly miss her.

Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation today, Sunday March 30, 2014 from 4-7 PM at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday March 31, 2014 at 10:00 AM at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 72 Federal St. Portland with Father Michael Seavey celebrating. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home before Mass at 9:15 AM. Interment will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

In lieu of flowers Millie requested that donations be made to The Sisters of the Precious Blood, 166 State St. Portland ME, 04101.