Mildred Nilon

1920 - 2017

Mildred Nilon, an Alabama native but proud Boulder, CO resident for 61 years, died on September 30, 2017. Nancy Mildred Harper was born on July 26, 1920 in Montgomery, AL to L.P. and Fannie Harper. She grew up in Montgomery, graduated from Alabama State College Laboratory High School and from Alabama State College. She taught high school in Pell City, AL for two years then went to graduate school at Atlanta University where she received a masters in history and a degree in library science. She returned to Montgomery and worked as a librarian at Alabama State College. Mildred married Charles Nilon on August 19, 1953 and moved to Detroit, MI where they lived before moving to Boulder in August 1956. In 1960 she returned to graduate school at Denver University where she received a master's degree in library science. Mildred worked at Norlin Library for 25 years, retiring as head of the library's public service division. She loved her profession and was a member of the council of the American Library Association. She also believed in the importance of community and service and was active in local groups such as the United Black Action Committee, the United Black Women of Boulder Valley, the Town and Country YWCA Board, the Boulder County Mental Health Board, and Historic Boulder. Mildred loved to play bridge, travel, play the slots in Las Vegas and Black Hawk, and watch the Broncos, Rockies, and Nuggets on television. She was a friend, mentor, and advocate who often said that she had one son but many children. She is survived by a son Charlie (Avila) Nilon, a granddaughter Loren (Richard) Prince, a great grandson Richard, a sister-in-law Valeria Harper, a niece Patricia Harper, a nephew Paul Harper, and a large group family and friends who loved her and will cherish her memory. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on November 3, 2017 at Frasier Meadows Retirement Community in Boulder. Donations in Mildred's memory may be made to the University of Colorado School of Education's Charles and Mildred Nilon Scholarship. http://www.colorado. edu/education/alumni- friends/giving/giving-opportunities