Dorothy A. McMillan

DOROTHY McMILLAN ~"Always a Smile and a Kind Word."~ A Gentle Woman, With A Strong Faith. McMillan, Dorothy A. (nee Dery) November 6, 2014 age 82. Beloved wife of the late James. Loving mother of Robert (Therese) and Kathleen (Matthew) Saval. Dear grandmother of Gabe, Bridget, Clare, Joseph, Katie, Molly, Matthew, James, Timothy and Jeffrey. Sister of Virginia (Gerald) Kaye, Audrey (Robert) Adema and the late Helen (Martin) McEvoy, Elaine Pearson and Theodore (Marilyn) Dery. Sister in law of Bill (Eileen) McMillan, Eileen (Ray) Schaefer, Jerry (Pat) McMillan and the late Rosemary McMillan, Dolores McMillan and Joan (Chuck) Walton. Also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Dear friend of Phyllis and Walter Gordon. Visitation at O’Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home, 41555 Grand River, Novi (248) 348-1800, Sunday 2:00 – 9:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. In state at Church of the Holy Family, 24505 Meadowbrook Rd, Novi, Monday 10:00 AM until funeral liturgy at 10:30 AM. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 610 West Elm Ave. Monroe, MI 48162-7909. Born January 24, 1932 in Fenton, Michigan to Ted and Margaret Dery. She grew up in Southfield as the eldest of six children - Helen, Elaine, Ted, Gin and Audrey. Dorothy and her siblings had many fun times growing up with their cousins. Back then her cousins living in Ferndale enjoyed visiting the Dery’s family home in Southfield “in the country”. Attended St. James School in Ferndale and graduated high school. She began working upon graduation. Her mother soon passed away and Dorothy spent her early twenties helping raise her younger siblings – especially Audrey. She enjoyed traveling with her sisters, cousins and friends in her twenties. She became good friends with Phyllis Gordon and enjoyed many hot fudge sundaes together at Sanders. Dorothy’s friend Chuck Walton asked her to go out with his friend, Jim McMillan – a successful gas station owner, so he could go out with Jim’s sister Joan as a double date. Dorothy ended up marrying Jim and Chuck also married Joan. Jim and Dorothy had two children – Bob and Kathy. She befriended her new in laws, especially her sister in laws – Rosemary, Eileen and Joan McMillan. She also got along well with her sibling’s spouses including Martin, Marilyn, Jerry, and Bob. She enjoyed being an aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. Jim passed away in 1968. Dorothy raised two children by herself with much support of the McMillan and Dery families. She was an active member at St. Bede’s parish and school where her kids attended elementary school. She participated in the ladies guild, was a Brownie Troop leader and a hot dog lunch mom at the school. There was always much laughter as she met with “club”, a group of high school girl friends, who continued to get together through adulthood. She was a friend to many of the families in her neighborhood. Many hours were spent in the Southfield ice arenas, supporting her son Bob as he played hockey throughout the years. She drove carpools as her kids entered high school at the University of Detroit Jesuit and Our Lady of Mercy. She participated in numerous activities to support her kids. She had a long career with Account Management in Insurance and eventually retired from Wells Fargo. She was a hard worker and loved her routine. Throughout the years she enjoyed bowling, golf, crafts, preparing meals and spending time celebrating holidays with family and friends. She had a special way of connecting with kids and dogs due to her gentle and quiet ways.She welcomed and was appreciated by her daughter in law Therese and son in law Matt Saval. She was delighted to become a grandma to her ten grandchildren – Gabe, Bridget, Clare, Joseph, Katie, Molly, Matthew, James, Timothy and Jeffrey.Throughout the years she was always known for her bright smile and kind words. She was often cheerful, had a quiet sense of humor and her company was enjoyed by most. She had a strong faith which guided her throughout her life. She was very healthy until her later years when she was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. She was lovingly cared for throughout her later years by her son Bob, daughter in law Therese, and the staff at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe. Sadly, she passed away peacefully in the company of her family at the IHM Motherhouse at 7:55pm in the evening of Thursday November 6, 2014 at 82 years old. She touched the lives of others throughout her years and was adored by many. It's A Wonder How Someone Who.... Endures So Much Pain, Can Be So Pleasant And Cheerful, Loves Routine, Can Adapt So Well To Major Life Changes, Manages So Much, Can Always Make Time For Laughter And Fun, Carries Such A Heavy Load, Can Make It Look So Easy, Is So Private, Can Be Such An Inspiration To So Many, Is So Content Being Alone In Her Own Space, Can Be So Warm And Inviting, Is So Strong And Determined, Can Be So Gentle And Kind, Is Such A Hard Worker, Can Be So Easy Going, Is So Thrifty, Can Be So Generous, Is So Loyal To Others, Can Be So Welcoming to New People, Is So Independent In Her Own Ways, Can Be So Cooperative, So Conservative In Her Faith And Traditions, Can Be So Open, Intuitive And Accepting, It's A Wonder How Someone Who... Lived Such A Simple And Quiet Life, Can Touch So Many And Leave Us With So Much Wisdom To Ponder And Learn From.

Dorothy A. McMillan

January 24, 1932 - November 6, 2014