Melissa Diane Mills

Monticello, Maine, and Millville, New Brunswick, Canada- Melissa Diane (Sansom) Mills, beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 2, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, after a life lived with courage, grace, and faith. She was born on June 8, 1944, in Millville, New Brunswick, Canada, the daughter of Donald and Mary Fox Sansom, who farmed their land and trapped for a living.
Melissa was a woman of quiet strength and steady love. She had a gift for making everyone around her feel seen and special, often responding with her signature phrase, "That's just it!"-making each person feel heard and understood. She found immense joy in the time spent with her family, especially loving her grandchildren and great-grandsons. She created laughter and memories that will be cherished forever. Melissa would often drive hundreds of miles to visit some of her grandchildren who lived far away, coming armed with a bag of her famous chocolate chip cookies and bacon rolls.
She made the very most of her time with them, whether continuously relighting the birthday cake candles in their early years or lending her ear as they grew older. Melissa found great joy in the simple, beautiful rhythms of home life. She could often be found on her sun porch with a word-find puzzle in hand, smiling as she watched hummingbirds flutter outside her window. She loved cooking, gardening, and canning-especially her famous mustard pickles. She could whip up a delicious meal at a moment's notice, often turning a few ingredients into a feast that brought everyone together. Her family will carry on her legacy through her favorite recipes-her jam, sweet brown bread, and bacon rolls. Melissa shared a beautiful life and deep love of 54 years with her husband, Michael Mills, who passed before her. Their marriage was built on faith, laughter, and hard work-a partnership that weathered every season of life together. She now rejoices to be reunited with him in Heaven. Her faith, kindness, and joyful spirit touched everyone who knew her. Melissa's bravery, laughter, and love will live on through the generations she inspired. In her final conversations, she spoke with courage and faith, assuring her family that she was not afraid and was ready to see God. Her unwavering faith, strength, and positivity-even in the face of affliction-were a gift and an inspiration to all who witnessed them. Melissa Mills will be deeply missed, but her love will live on in every family meal, every hummingbird at our windows, and every cherished memory of time spent together in the family home in Monticello.
She is survived by her children: Michael Jr. and his wife, Angela Mills; Reggie and his wife, LeAnne Bragdon; Denise and her husband, Don Gouin; and Greg and his wife, Nannette Mills. She was the proud Grammie of her grandchildren-Bianca, Briar, and Bryce; Samantha; Haven, and Sierra (and her husband, Jasper); and great-grandsons Channing, Calvin, and Lion, who brought her endless joy. Melissa also enjoyed visits and calls from her nephew and nieces: Lewis Craig, Doloros Brown (and her husband, Dwight), Marianne McDowell (and her husband, Thomas), and her special sisters-in-laws: Connie (Mills) Sandstrom, Peggy (Mills) Keck, Sue (Mills), and her husband, Kenny Dion, and extended family. Melissa was predeceased by her brother, Elwood Sansom, and sisters Juanita Taylor and Dorothy Craig.
Her family will honor and celebrate her life on Friday, October 10, 2025, at Military Street Baptist Church, located at 307 Military Street in Houlton, Maine. Visiting hours will be at 11:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Monticello Cemetery. Forever loved, forever remembered, and forever with Jesus.