Eda Philpott Mills

Eda Philpott Mills was born in Denver, Colorado, on February 5th 1938 to Dr. Osgoode and Helen Philpott. The youngest of five children, she graduated from Denver East High School in 1955. She attended Mills College in Oakland, California and graduated with a major in English in 1959. Eda was later reacquainted with and married Jay Mills- an East High classmate- in 1961. In 1965 they moved to Kansas City with their year old son Benjamin Parker, while Jay attended Dental school. Their middle son, Grover Philpott, was born while Jay was in Dental school. Jay graduated in 1970 and the family came back to Colorado and settled in Longmont. Not too long after, Eda's and Jay's youngest son, Royden Sinclair, was born. The family lived in the Longmont area until Eda died after a short illness. She had turned 84 the week before her passing. In December 2021, Eda and Jay celebrated their 60th Anniversary with their sons, son's spouses, and grandchildren. Eda was a lover of books and words. She devoured volumes of literature weekly and gave her hand to writing short stories. Eda carried her passion for words into substitute teaching for local high school's English departments as well as assistant coaching Longmont High's forensics' team. Eda also taught school while living in Kansas City. She was a long-time member of her Longmont PEO Chapter DI. Eda had been active in Mills College Alumni and helped organize the annual Women's College for a Day event in Denver. She was an athlete as well as a scholar. She played golf at The Fox Hill Club where she had been a member for decades, was a fly fisherwoman through most of her days, and excelled at playing tennis. Eda once made a hole in one while playing golf with her family. Eda loved animals and always had at least one dog, and often two, who all were absolutely devoted to her. She was a Docent at the Denver Zoo for decades. Eda loved to cook, and she and Jay were members of a Gourmet group for over 40 years, passing their love of food and traditions on to their sons. Eda was a member of other groups including bridge, a book club, and a birthday club. Eda loved music of all kinds, Broadway scores and, especially opera, making Saturday Live at the Met a tradition for years. She was a member of the Longmont Symphony Guild and played violin for the symphony for a few years. Mostly, Eda Mills was kind. She thought and felt deeply, was quiet and listening, making a mark on all who met her. Our wonderful Eda will be sorely missed by her family and many friends.