Amelia Ann Schaffer

BROOKLINE, Mass. -- Amelia Ann (Johnston) Schaffer died on Feb. 27, 2009, surrounded by her family. She was 83 years old.

Her strength, persistence and love will remain an inspiration to her family and friends. Millie dedicated her life to bettering the lives of girls.

She served as a volunteer, a professional staff member and board member for the Connecticut Valley Girl Scout Council in Hartford, Conn., for more than 30 years. Her dedication to giving girls opportunities to succeed touched thousands of lives.

Millie was never one to give up or even slow down. She remained active and committed to causes near and dear to her heart and, first and foremost, her family.

Her great joy for life was contagious. Her commitment to progressive politics and political action was a dominant theme, especially in her later years. She resided at 100 Centre St. in Brookline, Mass., where she maintained an active social life, including her current-events group. She was an avid reader of the New York Times.

Millie leaves five daughters and their families: Cheryl Schaffer, Daniel Bishop-Schaffer and Katie Ai Bishop-Schaffer, of Brookline; Janet Schaffer and Sam Schaffer-Morrison of Warner, N.H., Peggy Schaffer and Clough Toppan of Vassalboro, Maine; Ginny, Galen and Amanda Brackett of Vassalboro; and Nancy and Dan Zigmund and the triplets, Frances, Ulysses and Nathan Zigmund, of St. Paul, Minn. She is also survived by her sister, Martha Tomlinson; her former husband, Beldon; loving nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.

Millie's ashes will be scattered at the family cottage in Belgrade, Maine, where she spent many, many happy days.

A celebration of Millie's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at Forsyth Chapel at Forest Hills Cemetery in Roslindale, Mass. If love could have kept you alive, you would have lived forever.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Millie's name to Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Camperships for Timber Trails, 340 Washington St., Hartford, CT 06106.