Mary Ann Mills

Mary Ann Mills passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on October 26, 2022. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of over 50 years, James Mills and her parents, Winifred and Charles Kavanaugh. She is survived by her much-loved children, Kevin (Suzanne); Sheila Wolf; E.J. (Angela) and Maureen Walsh (Christopher). She adored her grandchildren - Megan (John); Thomas (Nicky); J.B; Claudia; and Nate. And they adored her. Whether they called her Gram, Gramma Mimi or Grandma, she always answered with a smile on her face and in her heart. She was beyond proud of them for all of their accomplishments and the lovely, empathetic and kind humans they are.

Born in Syracuse, Mary Ann enjoyed her large, extended Irish Catholic family. While she had no siblings, her Cousin Shirley Arnott and her lifelong best friend, Florine Bonacci were surely like sisters to her. She was blessed her entire life with wonderful friends and many cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

After graduating from St. John, the Evangelist High School, Mary Ann worked at AT&T for several years before marrying her dear Jim, Jimmy aka “Mouse” Mills on August 27, 1960. In 1967 they relocated to Rochester when he secured a position as Golf Course Superintendent at beautiful Brook-Lea Country Club. The family spent many years there enjoying the club, the pool and the links. Mary Ann’s attempt at golf was adjourned, when, in a fit of laughter, she ran a golf cart into the creek with a friend.  After that, she gave bowling a spin, but decided it was best to stick to crafting and antiquing with the dear friends she met at St. Helen’s Church where the entire family were active parishioners and all of her children attended school.

A devout Catholic, Mary Ann enjoyed Bible study and giving back. She visited the sick, was a member of the prayer tree, and was always the first to lend a hand or a word of encouragement to anyone in need. She loved Big Band, The Bills and Bocelli, tchotchkes, cheesecake and Christmas. She loved the water and savored the summers spent on Canandaigua Lake in later years. She relished time with her family, playing board games and laughing until she cried. She became quite the artist doing colored pencil drawings at The Fairport Baptist Home where she spent the final years of her beautiful life. The family would like to sincerely thank the staff there for the love and care they showed her. A Catholic Mass celebrating Mary Ann will be held on March 25th, which would have been her 90th birthday, at The Parish of the Holy Family located at 4100 Lyell Road at 11 AM. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery will follow the service.

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