Millie was born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 5, 1925, the youngest of four children born to James and Carmelia LaRocca. She graduated from East High School in Cleveland in 1943. After graduation she attended a local college before starting her studies at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland, earning a degree in Sociology. Her college studies were made possible by her older brother Joseph and his wife Margaret, and while studying she cared for their two children Bob and Peggy. Following college she worked as a social worker in the Cleveland area.
In 1952 Millie met Ralph Wright through a blind date. They made a perfect match, and exchanged wedding vows on January 31, 1953 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Elyria, Ohio, beginning a 56-year journey together before his death in 2009. They had eight children, raising them in Ohio and Illinois before resettling the family in Oregon. Millie devoted her time to raising their children while Ralph supported the family through his career in advertising and college development. Ralph and Millie were strong supporters of education, both in public schools and home, where debates on grammar were often settled at the dinner table. Millie later worked at South Salem High School as a special education assistant before retiring in 1988, once all eight children had earned a college degree.
After retirement, Millie and Ralph settled in Portland, and began travels to Central America, Europe, and the Mediterranean, as well as frequent trips to Princeton, Spokane, and San Francisco to visit grandchildren. Ralph’s passing in 2009 ended 56 years of wonderful marriage, but Millie continued her travels, including a trip to Lisbon, Portugal and an epic car journey from New York to Spokane. She loved being surrounded by family, sharing funny stories, and reading mystery novels. She was a good friend to all animals, and always was prepared with treats for favorite family pets.
Millie is preceded in death by her husband Ralph and her daughter Mary. She is survived by her children Dan (Molly), Martha, David, Laurie Stewart (Kelly), Chris (Karen Stratton), John (Paula Baxter) and Amy Henry (Walt). She is also survived by eight grandchildren (Victor Plaza, Megan Lee, Kelsey Stewart, Azul Tellez Wright, Nate Henry, Ben Wright, Emily Stewart, and Dominic Henry) and three great grandchildren (Bernardo, Samantha, and Maria Julia).
A service will be held Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 12:00 noon at The Old Church in The Madeleine Catholic Church (enter from 23rd Avenue). The family suggests remembrances to Oregon Humane Society or Providence Hospice.
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