Dorothy J. Mills

August 20, 1920 - September 11, 2011

GENEVA - Dorothy Jones Mills, 91, of Wayland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wayland, Massachusetts, formerly of Geneva, died at her residence on Sunday September 11, 2011. Visiting hours will be at the DeVaney-Bennett Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday October 7, 2011. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday October 8, 2011 at the Presbyterian Church in Geneva with the Rev. James Gerling officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Glenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to the memorial fund of the Presbyterian Church, 24 Park Place, Geneva, NY 14456. Mrs. Mills was born at Kashong in the town of Geneva, in 1920. She was the daughter of Henry Eugene Jones and Mabel Lyon Jones. She graduated from Geneva High School in 1938 and received a BS degree in Home Economics from Syracuse University in 1942, followed by a MS degree in Home Economics Education in 1948, also from Syracuse University. Mrs. Mills taught Home Economics in Henrietta, Lake George, and Auburn, New York high schools before returning to Geneva where she taught sixth grade for many years, retiring from the Geneva school system in 1981. She was an inspiration to her students, many of whom went on to careers in education themselves. Mrs. Mills was a long-time member of the Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder and as a Sunday School teacher. She was also a member of the Geneva Woman's Club. After her retirement, Mrs. Mills volunteered in the Lobby Shop of Geneva General Hospital and as an instructor in the "Self-Help" Sewing program of the Presbyterian Church. She is survived by four children: Robert S. Mills of Upper Arlington, Ohio, Craig D. Mills of Wellesley, Massachusetts, Thomas L. Mills of Providence, Rhode Island, and Kathleen M. McKeever of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Also surviving are one brother, Donald M. Jones of St. Petersburg, Florida, five grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Mills was predeceased by her husband Malcolm H. Mills in 1988, and by a son, Alan M. in 1953. Two sisters, Elizabeth H. Jones and Marjorie L. Jones predeceased her, along with one brother, Henry E. Jones, Jr.