Mildred I. Graham

MONTPELIER - Mildred I. Graham, 94, formerly of Northfield Street, passed away peacefully on Feb. 5, 2015, at Woodridge Nursing Home.

She was born on March 12, 1920, the daughter of Carl and Helen (Weeks) Richardson Sr., of Worcester, Vermont. She attended schools in Worcester and Montpelier.

Millie married Hershel B. Graham Sr. in Worcester. He predeceased her in 1985. They lived in Worcester, Northfield Falls, Montpelier and East Montpelier (Gould Hill).

She was mainly a homemaker raising their seven children until later in life, working part time as a waitress/bartender at the Brown Derby, the Montpelier Elks Club, Lobster Pot and the Rendezvous Restaurant. Impressing her son Rick with her toils, he nicknamed her Tillie the Toiler, better known as Tillie, which remained with her throughout her life. She liked nothing better than tending her flower beds and being outdoors; visiting family and friends; taking friends riding throughout the countryside enjoying the scenery, not knowing where they'd end up, but she always finding her way. She loved dancing, music, yard sales, dinners with family and friends, playing cards, bowling and going out with friends. She also loved to travel and took numerous trips with her friends from the senior center. For many years, she volunteered at the Chamber of Commerce visitors booth and the Central Vermont Medical Center Benefit Shop in Barre. She was a life member of the American Legion Post 3 Ladies Auxiliary and the Montpelier Senior Activity Center.

Survivors include her daughters, Janis Ghiringhelli, of Montpelier, Gail Walker, of Barre, Diane Graham, of Montpelier; sons Richard Graham, of Randal, Washington, Lawrence Graham and his wife, Lynda, of Williamstown, Vermont, and Douglas Graham, of Houston, Texas; brother James Richardson and his wife, Audrey, of Worcester, Vermont; many nieces and nephews; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her son Hershel Jr.; son-in-law Robert Walker; son-in-law Edward Ghiringhelli; grandson Michael Ghiringhelli; and her siblings Muriel Dupont, Joyce Saliba, Carl Richardson Jr. and Francis Richardson.

There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held in the springtime in Worcester, Vermont.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre St., # 1, Montpelier, VT 05602.

Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com.