Obituary of Joan T. Mills

Rodman – Joan T. Mills, 83, longtime resident of Rodman, passed away Thursday, August 28, 2014 at the Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown. She was surrounded by the comfort of her loving family. All who knew and loved Joan are invited to attend a grave-side service at Fairview Cemetery in Rodman on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 12 Noon. There are no calling hours. Arrangements are with the Piddock Funeral Home, Adams. A luncheon will be held directly after the service at Dave and Jane Thomas’ home, Rodman. All are welcome to join Joan’s family and friends to celebrate her life and mourn her loss. Joan was born on July 21, 1931 in Theresa, NY to Clark and Dorothy (Glasier) Thomas. She graduated from Adams High School in 1948. Shortly after graduation, she moved to Rochester, NY where she met and married Donald S. Brown. They have two children together - Deborah and Jeffery Brown. Joan and “Brownie” divorced in 1966 and Joan moved with her children to Rodman, where they lived with Dorothy Thomas – Joan’s beloved mother and grandmother to Deborah and Jeffery. After moving to Rodman, Joan worked for the Adams Phone Co., then went into banking; first at the Watertown Savings Bank in Watertown, then Key Bank in Adams Center, where she retired as Assistant Manager in 1996. Following her retirement, she worked for her uncle, the late Robert F. Merrill at his insurance agency in Rodman. In 1973, Joan married Thomas E. Mills of Rodman. They resided together in Rodman for forty-one years.  Tom was a long time member of the Rodman Volunteer Fire Dept and Joan was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary. Joan enjoyed reading, gardening, playing cards, music and spending time with her family and friends. She particularly loved the outdoors. She and Tom spent many peaceful days at their camp near Barnes Corners. She also loved spending time at the camp of her cousin, Jerry Merrill and his wife Pat, at South Lake. Joan loved watching the wildlife there – especially the Loons. She is survived by her devoted husband of forty-one years, Thomas E. Mills, Rodman. Her two adoring children - Deborah Brown, Rochester, NY and Jeffery (Xiohong) Brown, Fairport, NY. Tom’s children - Wanda (Gus) Macqueen , Hammond; Tom Mills, Rodman and Tim (Sandy) Mills, Mannsville; nine grandchildren; and 3 great grandchildren.  Also surviving, are Joan’s brother, David Thomas and sister-in-law, Jane, Rodman; several nieces, nephews and cousins.  In addition to her family, she leaves behind many friends who loved her. Joan’s family mourns the passing of a truly loving woman; her conversations, her steadfast support,her humor, her blue eyes, her spaghetti sauce, and her homemade pies.  Her passing leaves a huge void in the lives of all who knew and loved her. Her family would like to express their heart-felt thanks to all the doctors, nurses and staff at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY. In that spirit, please send donations to: The James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, 601 Elmwood Ave., Box 704, Rochester, NY 14642.