Mildred Willoughby

Died December 29, 2005

EAGLE HARBOR - Mildred (Dail) Willoughby, 98, of Eagle Harbor, formerly of Traverse City, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005, at the Cypress Manor.

She was born in Fulton, Kan., on Dec. 12, 1907, a daughter of Edward and Ida (Stevens) Dail. She married Keith Willoughby of Mellen, Wis., in Fulton, on Aug. 31, 1938.

Mid had been interested in many artistic pursuits, starting with a musical career with a master's degree from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan., where she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma and Kappa Delta Pi, also the first president of a Sigma Alpha Iota chapter, a musical fraternity for women.

Since 1950, she had been deeply involved in garden club activities. She had been a life member of the National Council of State Garden Clubs since 1966 and served two years on the national board. She was a life member of the Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan, an honorary life member of the Friendly Garden Club of Traverse City, an honorary member of the Hill and Dale Garden Club of Farmington Hills, a national council master flower show judge emeritus, and a master landscape design critic emeritus.

On the state level, she served as district one governor, editor of the GARDEN GATE, vice president, state convention chairman, and gave many flower arranging and table setting programs. She also held work shops in artistic design at national conventions.

She won National Rose Flower Show honors in 1963, representing the midwest region In the Jackson and Perkins Sterling Bowl Tournament in New York sponsored by the Sterling Silversmiths Guild. She placed second of 114 original nominees.

Mid was instrumental in the founding of the IKENOBO IKEBANA Society of Michigan.

Her creative talent was apparent in 30 years of Ukrainian egg decorating. She shared this by giving classes and presenting eggs during the Easter season as token of love.

She had close musical affiliation with Episcopal Churches in Eldorado, Kan., Falls Church Virginia in Redford and Farmington, Mich. She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City. She was also a life member of the Eastern Star, the PEO, and the Miscowaubic Club.

She shared with her husband, Keith, their love of nature, antiques, travel, theater, music, and cross country skiing. For over twenty years they enjoyed their summer home in Eagle Harbor, making it their permanent home in 1996.

Survivors are a son, Dail of Eagle Harbor; two grandchildren, Buchanen of Alaska and Raeanon (Derek) Schmid of California; two great-grandchildren, Kalea and Kanoa Schmid; sister, Alice (VG) Ange, her daughter, Marci (John) Miller of California; brother, Max (Betty Jean) Dail of Arizona and their daughter, Deborah (Michael) Chapman and granddaughter, Dail Chapman of New Mexico; daughter,Diane (Joseph) )Pyne, and granddaughter, Margo of Massachusetts; niece Dailine White of Oklahoma, and her children, Jerrod and Christy.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Keith; brother, Ralph, and his wife, Alline; her sister's husband, V.G. Ange; and Max Dail Jr.

A memorial service will be held in Eagle Harbor in the spring.

Memorials may be sent to Keweenaw Home Nursing, The Omega House or St. Peters by the Sea.

The Ryan Funeral Home is serving the family.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.