Obituary for Lioba "Lia" Mills
Lioba A. (Gopfert) Mills, 80, of Ludlow passed away peacefully at home with her family and her friends at her side on Saturday September, 6th, 2008. She was born on 6/8/28 in Marktbriet, Germany to Lioba Wiegand and Josef Gopfert. Lia met and married Vernon Irwin Mills in Germany while he was a guard at the Nuremburg trials just after WWII. Lia came to the US in 1948 as a young bride and flew 24 hours across the Atlantic with her young son. She could not find her husband Vernon at LaGuardia airport, so she decided to take a taxicab all the way to Indian Orchard MA. A grand entrance for a grand lady! They actually found each other just in time. As a young woman, Lia was a finalist for the German Olympic team. Upon arrival to the US with her new husband & young son, they lived in Indian Orchard, MA. Lia quickly became a vital and important part of the Mills family.  After moving to Ludlow in 1956, she became an active member of Ludlow school sports supporting her sons Harry and Lloyd in baseball and football. She worked many years at the front counter of the old Ludlow Drug Store. She and Vernon enjoyed racing around in their Mustangs and taking day trips to Hinsdale to bet on the dogs and the horses. In her retirement, she enjoyed visiting her grandchildren, going to Foxwoods, Las Vegas and playing Keno with her many friends. Her husband Vernon predeceased her in 1985. Her sons, Harry V. Mills (Judy Henriques) of Ludlow, MA and Lloyd A. Mills (Susan Phelan) of Unity, NH, survive her. She leaves her grandchildren, Jason D. Mills and Casey Mills Perrone (Paul) of Holden, MA and her great-granddaughter, Liliana Mills Perrone. She leaves many nieces and nephews here and in Germany. Her long-time companion Domingos (Mingo) Pereira and her long time friend and sister-in-law Martha Mills Vetal will miss Lia greatly. A celebration of Lia’s life will be held Tuesday September 9th 2008 at 7:00pm with Father John Connors officiating. Visiting hours will precede the service from 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Ludlow Boys and Girls Club, Claudia Way, Ludlow, MA., 01056 or the Mercy Hospital Cancer Center.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Ludlow Boys and Girls Club, Claudia Way, Ludlow, MA., 01056 or the Mercy Hospital Cancer Center.
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In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Ludlow Boys and Girls Club, Claudia Way, Ludlow, MA., 01056 or the Mercy Hospital Cancer Center.
To plant a tree in memory of Lioba "Lia" Mills, visit the Tribute Store.
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