Mildred Allison Atwood “Millie” Ellis, 83, of Round Rock, TX, passed peacefully from this world in the early morning of June 26, 2023.

Her amazing journey began on August 16, 1939, in Watertown, MA, where she was born and raised as the only child of George & Charlotte Atwood. Married to William Henry Ellis, also of Watertown, on January 23rd, 1960, they later moved to Bedford, MA, where they raised three children: Bill Ellis, now of Stephenville, TX, Cyndi Ellis, now of Round Rock, TX, and Gordon Ellis, now of Waltham, MA. She leaves behind a legacy that includes six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Her work life began as a stenographer at the Middlesex Courthouse and later lead her to a long, distinguished career at the Mitre Corporation, retiring in 1997. For a time she attended night school as a way to better her education while rising through the ranks at Mitre, all while raising her young family. Throughout her life, Millie was active in numerous organizations, particularly in the Masonic community, beginning as a teenager as a member of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. She later served as Mother Advisor of Bedford Assembly during the early 80’s, an experience of which she said, “I realized just what Rainbow had done for me during my teen years, and believing when you get good from something, you try and give something back”. She spread that giving to volunteer work with Battle Green Chapter of DeMolay, in addition to being a Girl Scout Leader and Cub Scout Den Mother. When the kids had grown, she dove headlong into the Order of The Eastern Star where she served as Worthy Matron for the Pequossette Chapter in Watertown, MA, and later proudly served as the Representative to Nova Scotia, Canada, where she and Henry kept a summer home. She was active in church activities, particularly with the First Church of Christ Congregational in Bedford and later with United Methodist in Dripping Springs, TX, where the couple retired to their dream home (designed and built by Henry) in 1998. Always keen on crafts, Millie was an avid knitter who spent much of her later years hand crafting winter apparel for less fortunate children in northern cities in a project that was dubbed “Millie’s Mittens”. She also enjoyed baking, candlepin bowling, and was a voracious reader.

Above all else, Mille was a collector of memories. She loved meeting new people and was never afraid to strike up a conversation with an unfamiliar face (once coming home with a roll of toilet paper autographed by Boston Celtics legend M.L. Carr - whom she unknowingly began talking to at a trade show - because, “that’s all we had available”). She meticulously kept newspaper clippings of anything highlighting the lives of her family and friends and became deeply interested in genealogy. She spoke proudly and often of her son Gordon’s acting accomplishments and her daughter Cyndi’s selfless work as a nurse. She beamed with pride when discussing her grandchildren (and later great grandchildren), and shared perhaps her last, best day holding her final great granddaughter Allison, named so in her honor. In her final years she continued to volunteer, serving as secretary of the Resident’s Committee in the retirement home where she lived while spending much of her time teaching anyone who wanted to know how to knit. Of her passing it was remarked by a member of the staff, “I hope she knows how much she was loved by everyone here.”

Having lived a full life, Millie has now left us with our own memories to collect and with these, her own words. “Remember in death we part only for a little while. Be loyal to yourself, your friends, and your commitments. Extend your hand in service to your fellowman whenever called upon. Keep faith in the future, hope for tomorrow, and the charity to be humble.” She will be missed, but not forgotten.

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