Marion L. Mills

OBITUARY FOR SUNDAY REPOSITORY WITH PICTURE

Marion L. Mills

Passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2017, just a month after celebrating her 90th birthday with family and friends.  She was born Feb. 3, 1927 in Erie, PA, a daughter of the late Dewey L. and Loretta H. (Derflinger) Harrington, and had been a Canton resident most of her life.  Marion was a 1945 graduate of Lehman High School.  She selflessly served her family and community.  As we thanked her for her generosity, she reminded us she did it not to be praised, but because it needed to be done.  She was a member of The League of Women Voters for 50 years, and served as a League observer of Canton City Council; also a member the YWCA Board 10 years; the Zoning Board Planning Committee, and chaired a panel to study, evaluate and update the Canton Canton Zoning Laws in the 1970’s, which was approved by Canton City Council; also served 14 years on the Canton City Zoning Board of Appeals; and chaired a Task Force to study sewer rates in the 1970’s; she was especially passionate about the Zoning Board.  After a motion was set to have the park at 25th Street and Cleveland Ave NW, zoned commercial – Marion was on the move.  Studying traffic flow, the value of green space, and thousands of signatures later, her efforts were rewarded as it remains a park today.  When this journey began, the Planning Committee was not at all receptive, and she was later appointed president of that planning committee.  For fun, Marion enjoyed being a member of a Euchre club over 50 years, swimming, and also made dozens of quilts. She treasured the relationships with people in each of her social networks, becoming lifelong friends with many of them. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, John T. Mills, on April 21, 2005, a son, Jeffrey J. Mills, on Jan. 30, 1976, a brother, Dewey Harrington, and two sisters, Virginia Koehler, and Margaret “Peggy” Giffen. Marion is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, John and Dorothy Mills, and Michael and Nina Mills; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Sara (Scott) Henderson, and their daughters, Reagan and Riley, Josh Mills and his son, Landon, Mycha (Sam) Sprankle, and their daughters, Saylor and Sami, Dajia Mills and Jada Mills; and one sister, Carol Wagner.  A Celebration of her life will be held Sat., March 25, 2017, at 5 p.m. in the Formet-Clevenger & Gordon Funeral Home. Friends may call Sat. 4-5 p.m. before the Celebration.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marion’s memory may be made to the League of Women Voters, with checks to: Canton Area LWV, 37 Auburn Ave. SE, North Canton, OH 44709.  The family would also like to encourage you to visit the 25th Street park in her honor.  Condolences may be left at: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com

Gordon (330) 456-4766

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