FARMINGTON – Katherine “Kay” Louise Coffin Mills, 93, died in Farmington on Monday, Oct. 4, 2010, surrounded by her grandson Anthony and her daughters Dora Anne and Janet.
|
|
She was born February 24, 1917 on her parent’s potato farm in Ashland, Maine, the daughter of Laurence C. and Katherine (Trafton) Coffin.
Kay was raised in Ashland, where she was valedictorian of the Ashland High School class of 1934. She attended Ricker Junior College in Houlton, and then Colby College, from which she graduated in 1939. In l972, Kay received her masters degree in English from the University of Maine at Orono.
During her early years after college, she taught in Warren, South Paris, and Farmington high schools, commencing a long and distinguished career teaching high school English, Latin, and public speaking to thousands of Maine youths.
In June of 1941 she married S. Peter Mills, Jr., and they made their home in his home town of Farmington, a community she loved and in which she remained active until the end of her life. They divorced in October l975. While her husband served as a Navy officer in World War II, she continued to teach until she stayed home to raise her children.
While at home with her children, she supported or provided leadership in many of their pursuits, including scouting, music, and drama activities. As her children grew older she resumed teaching, first in Gorham from l960 to l962, where the family lived for several years in the 1950s and early 1960s, while her husband served as U.S. Attorney for Maine. After the family’s return to Farmington she taught at Wilton Academy from l963 to l969 and then at Mt. Blue High School, from where she retired as the head of the English Department in 1991 after a total of 35 years teaching. Known for her enthusiastic classroom teaching style and dedication to helping students learn to write well, she also became a mentor and public speaking coach for many, and motivator for them to pursue higher education.
During her retirement years Kay continued her journey with zest. With a close group of friends and family, she played tennis regularly, traveled widely abroad and in the United States, volunteered for various charities, including the Make a Wish Foundation and children’s reading groups at the library, and cared for her children and grandchildren. She was always alert to opportunities to share a song on the piano, read a good book, or play cards and Scrabble with family and friends. Her singing and laughter filled her home and the hearts of those who knew her.
She also pursued her interest in public affairs by working in the political campaigns of her husband, son Peter and her daughter Janet. For several years until 2007 she also served as chair of the Women’s Legislative Caucus organization.
She was also active in many area civic organizations, serving as president of the Monday Club, and an active member of the Old South United Church of Christ (Congregational) Church, AAUW, Delta Kappa Gamma, Business and Professional Women (BPW), the Farmington Historical Society, and the Farmington Grange. She was also active in the Shorey Chapel in Allens Mills.
She is survived by her children: S. Peter Mills, III and wife Nancy of Cornville, David Pearson Mills of Farmington, Janet Trafton Mills and husband Stanley Kuklinski of Farmington, Paul Harland Mills of Farmington, and Dora Anne Mills and husband Michael J. Fiori of Brunswick; her grandchildren, Lieutenant Katherine Coffin Mills stationed with the U.S. Army in Germany, Alice Mills Verstrat and husband Justin Verstrat, and Ruth Mills Cariani and husband Jeffrey Cariani of North Carolina, Anthony David Mills Fiori and Julia Katherine Mills Fiori of Brunswick. She is also survived by four great grandchildren, Jasper Verstrat, Margaret Verstrat, Isaac Cariani, and Julian Mills; her sister-in-law, Inger Coffin; her niece Betsey Coffin; and her nephews Roger Bates and Donald Bates. She is also survived by six step granddaughters, Alison Nelson, Coleen Lehigh, Tammy Viles, Kristen Kuklinski, Lisl May, and Michela Fiori.
She is predeceased by her former husband, S. Peter Mills, Jr., her long time companion Richard B. Gould, her sister Dora Jean Coffin Bates, and her brother Lewis Charles Coffin.
The family would like to thank the Pierce House residents, family, and staff, who provided a wonderful home her last three years.
Family and friends are invited to call Thursday, Oct. 14 from 5-7 p.m. at the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., (Rtes. 2 & 27) Farmington. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. from Old South Congregational Church, Main St., Farmington, with Rev. Kimberly Hoare and Rev. John Tolman co-officiating. Following services, a family reception will be held in the church vestry, hosted by the Parish Fellowship. All are welcome.
Tributes and condolences may be shared with her family at www.wilesrc.com.
Those who desire may give remembrance gifts to the Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry (FAEM) Att.: Heating Fund PO Box 147 Farmington, Maine 04938. Private family committal services will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Farmington.
Heaven has a new “teacher of the year”, and they better be brushing up on the English language “real good”. Much affection to the family of this priceless lady.
As one of the thousands of English students who was put through his paces by this remarkable lady I can attest that her influence on my life and career have been invaluable. Her keen mind, sense of humor, youthful spirit, athleticism, and community involvement set the bar to which we should all aspire. Most of all the obvious and well-deserved pride she held for her family and their accomplishments was inspiring. My hat is off to you, Kay, and I offer my deep and heartfelt sympathies to you, David, Peter, Janet, Paul, Dora Anne and all your loved ones.
I pursued a degree in English, in part, because of this remarkable woman. Mrs. Mills was a lover of language, a drill sergeant, a cheerleader, a mentor, and above all a community member whose civic engagement is to be deeply admired. While the extended Mills family grieves, I hope family members find comfort in knowing the tremendous impact she has had on so many lives. Perhaps when sharing memories, they will smile at the thought of a student doing jumping jacks at Mt. Blue High School repeating . . . “I will never, ever, end a sentence with a prepositional phrase, ever!” Thank you Mrs. Mills, and condolences to all who will miss you greatly.
Kay Mills was my English teacher when I was a freshman at Farmington High School.I have held her in high esteem ever since and have been fortunate to maintain a close friendship with her over the years in both Gorham and Farmington.
Her zest for life and learning was contagious and I feel her loss deeply. My sincere sympathy goes to Peter,Janet,David,Paul and Dora Anne.
Though I never had her as a teacher, I remember her well from the days of working at Homestead Bakery. She and her friends were our “Tuesday” ladies, they would come in for lunch and to visit with eachother. She was from an era where public decorum and dignity held true, and she were a joy to serve. My sympathies to her family, she was obviously a great Lady, and will be missed.