Mildred Irene McCormick

Mildred “Millie” Irene McCormick

January 31, 1943 – December 17, 2025

Mildred Irene McCormick, lovingly known as Millie, Mom, and Nana, completed her earthly journey and entered heaven on December 17, 2025, at the age of 82, in Prescott, Arizona. A devoted Catholic with a deep affection for Mother Mary and all the saints, she lived a life shaped by faith, family, prayer, and gentle grace.

Born in Manhattan, New York, to Harold and Delphine Dunne, Millie spent her early years in New York, where she married and welcomed four of her children. She later moved to California, where she had her fifth child, raised her family, and built a home filled with warmth and tradition. Her early motherhood years were full of nature walks, park days, beach trips, museums, amusement parks, and quiet evenings at home with her children. She later lived in Michigan for thirteen years and spent her final years in Arizona.

Millie worked as a secretary in both hospital settings and at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Victorville, California, a role that reflected her devotion and quiet reliability.

Her faith was woven into her entire day. Her 3pm prayer time was sacred, and she prayed constantly for the people she loved.

She loved cooking and baking bread. Her spaghetti and meatballs and her cakes became family traditions. She enjoyed candy making, sewing, gardening, and crafting. She loved singing children’s songs and nursery rhymes, including her well-known “Fe Fi Fo Fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman,” which she shared with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She enjoyed nature sounds and instrumental music, held a special connection to the song Ave Maria, and loved visiting the California missions. She especially loved being Nana, finding great joy in time with her grandchildren and delighting in planning treasure and scavenger hunts, craft projects, and simple outdoor fun that became lasting memories.

Millie also loved puzzles, board games, word games, reading, and movies. She especially enjoyed religious literature and natural healing books. Her daily coffee time with loved ones was one of her favorite parts of the day. She loved watching the sky, especially sunsets, taking in quiet moments of beauty whenever she could.

Family gatherings were the heart of her life. She loved holidays, get togethers, and cooking large meals for the people she loved. She took joy in watching her family grow into many generations.

Millie was preceded in death by her beloved husband William Nelson McCormick Jr, her siblings Joyce, Michael, and Johnny, her parents, and her grandson Baby Max.

She is survived by her children Laura, Donna, Kathleen, Will, and Debbie, along with many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Harold, Peter, Nancy, and Joanne.

In her final years, Millie faced Lewy Body Dementia with remarkable resilience. Her daughter Kathleen devoted herself daily to Millie’s care, ensuring she was surrounded by love, comfort, and dignity. She was also supported long-distance by her daughter Debbie. Millie was cared for by her granddaughter Jennifer and her family, whose steady presence and support were a meaningful part of her final years. Her grandson Jesse was present and offered support during this time. In her final months, Millie’s granddaughter Amanda traveled from Oklahoma to help care for her during the most difficult stages of her illness, bringing steadiness, comfort, and light to Millie and to the family by her side. Millie’s daughter Debbie and Millie’s granddaughters Sarah, Jaimee, and Samie also came to help and spend meaningful time with her during her final months.

She will be laid to rest in Battle Creek, Michigan, near her husband. Arrangements by the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.