Mildred D. "Millie" Frechette) Harkins Obituary

Mildred D. "Millie" Frechette) Harkins

August 23, 1922 - April 14, 2020
Wakefield, Massachusetts

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of Mildred's Passing

In lieu of flowers, the harkins family suggests memorial contributions be made to:)
Doctors without Borders

Pause Best of Times by Bruce H. Zimmerman (ASCAP)

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79 West Foster Street
Melrose, MA 02176
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“Gigi u will b truly missed . Your face light up the room when dad and I walked in . I loved the last conversation we had u trying to hook me up with...Read More » ”
1 of 16 | Posted by: John Patrick 111 Harkins - Lynn

“Millie was a wonderful neighborhood mom and my sincere condolences to Pat and her brothers Jay and Bob and their families. ”
2 of 16 | Posted by: Mary (Leet) Kellerman - MA

“Jay and family, So sorry for your loss but so happy that you had her for as long as you did. She had a full life. RIPPaul 'bumblefoot' Mac Donald ”
3 of 16 | Posted by: Paul MacDonald - Reading, MA

“We will miss you, grandma! You are a fixture of our family, and it's hard to picture a gathering without you. You made everything seem so special, no...Read More » ”
4 of 16 | Posted by: Kerry Crisley - Wakefield, MA

“Jay and John, So sorry to hear of your mother and grandmother's passing.My thoughts are with you. ”
5 of 16 | Posted by: Deborah Hurley

“GiGi was a wonderful, thoughtful and caring woman, so many great memories over the years. She set a great example of how to live and did anything for...Read More » ”
6 of 16 | Posted by: Michael O'Leary - Lynnfield, MA

“Millie was the best mother-in-law a guy could ever have. She was funny, loving, supportive, smart, generous and progressive. Near the end, we had...Read More » ”
7 of 16 | Posted by: Timothy O'Leary - Wakefield, MA

“Pat and Tim,Sorry for the loss of your Mother. Tom and Joan Feeley ”
8 of 16 | Posted by: A friend

9 of 16 | Posted by: A friend

“Patricia , Our sincere condolences on the loss of your mother.May the memories of the good times in the past bring you somemeasure of comfort. May...Read More » ”
10 of 16 | Posted by: Marge and Jack O'Leary - MA

“So sorry for your loss. So many memories of your parents growing up especially on Saturday nights! ”
11 of 16 | Posted by: Barbara Amirault Waysome - Malden

“RIP Millie, fond memories of you. Deepest condolences to B and the entire Harkins family. - Paul and Chris DiPietro ”
12 of 16 | Posted by: A friend

“Len and I were so sad to hear this news. Mrs. H was always so warm and loving and always had a big hug for us. We have wonderful memories of...Read More » ”
13 of 16 | Posted by: Carol Sampson - Melrose, MA

“Very sorry for the loss of your beloved mother. My deepest condolences for John and Mandy and their close family members during this difficult time. ”
14 of 16 | Posted by: Grace Gao - West Roxbury, MA

“So sorry for your loss susan scott b and all of your family ”
15 of 16 | Posted by: Marlene Kaplan - Melrose, MA

“The Gately Family and Staff wish to express our sincere sympathy to you. It is our hope that we may be able to make a difficult time more bearable....Read More » ”
16 of 16 | Posted by: John W. gately, John H. Gately & fred Spragua - MA

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Mildred D. "Millie" (Frechette) Harkins of Melrose formerly of Malden, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2020 at the Bear Hill Nursing Home in Stoneham. She was 97 years of age. Beloved wife of 54 years to the late John P. Harkins. Loving mother of Patricia E. O'Leary & her husband Tim of Wakefield, John P. Harkins & his wife Mandy of Walpole, and Robert M. Harkins and the late Lorraine Goldberg Harkins of Sharon. Cherished grandmother of Michael P. O'Leary & his wife Patricia of Lynnfield, Kerry O'Leary Crisley and her husband John of Wakefield, John P. Harkins, III of Lynn, Scott Harkins & his wife Joanne of Methuen and Susan Harkins Dainis & her husband Michael of North Attleboro. Proud great grandmother of Maddison and Daniel O'Leary of Lynnfield, Ben and Erin Crisley of Wakefield, Emily and Natalie Harkins of Methuen and Brandon and Benjamin Dainis of North Attleboro.

Millie was born in New Bedford and graduated from New Bedford High School, where she excelled in tennis and academics. Shortly after high school she was hired, as part of the war effort, to work as a Clerk-Stenographer at The War College, Naval Intelligence in Newport RI. It was there she met the love of her life, John Harkins, who was then assigned to Naval Intelligence.

Millie worked at the Hilltop Steak House in Saugus, where she held court in Sioux City for almost thirty years. After her husband's passing in 1997, Millie took on the role of principal caregiver to her parents, Alfred and Jesse Frechette, both of whom lived to be over100.

Among her many interests, Millie was a passionate Democrat, bowler, BINGO participant, and card player with a particular passion late in life for Texas Hold 'em poker. Scratch tickets on her birthday or at Christmas were always welcomed gifts. She loved cats, the radio, late afternoons at the beach, travelling to Hawaii, camping in Vermont, vacations at Lake Sebago, The Sunday Globe, fried claims, Drive-In Theaters. She was an active member of The Catholic Daughters at St. Joseph's Church in Malden for decades. Millie was an avid reader, with an eclectic library of books on religion, politics, biographies and murder mysteries. But most of all, she loved her family members and friends and cherished her time with them. Many of her friendships extended over fifty years. Her quick smile, lively blue eyes and personal warmth encouraged others to spend time with her. As a mother, then grandmother and finally great grandmother (GG) her arms were always available for a hug and her lap for a young child to sit. She was a great listener and dispensed the wisdom of her age and experience only when asked, and only with affection, never judgment. Her love and support were always freely and quickly given without conditions or any reservations.

Millie, GG, and Mom's youthful, modern, progressive spirit, sharp mind, enthusiasm, sense of fun, and her incomparable warmth and laughter will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.

Millie's final request to her family and friends was that upon news of her death, there be no tears only cheers.
Respecting current restrictions the burial will be private.

Due to the new directive from the State of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Funeral Director Association and all the current health concerns a memorial Mass, burial and celebration of her life will be announced at a later date. The family asks that remembrances be directed to her favorite charity Doctors without Borders www.doctorswithoutborders.org
\ Please feel free to send a card to family members, drop a card at the funeral home for the family or send a message of online condolence.

Memories & Candles

Page: 2 of 2

So sorry for your loss. So many memories of your parents growing up especially on Saturday nights!

Posted by: Barbara Amirault Waysome - Malden Apr 16, 2020

RIP Millie, fond memories of you. Deepest condolences to B and the entire Harkins family. - Paul and Chris DiPietro

Posted by: A friend Apr 16, 2020

Len and I were so sad to hear this news. Mrs. H was always so warm and loving and always had a big hug for us. We have wonderful memories of singing Irish songs in the kitchen of Valley Street. It is so sad at this time we can't be with you all to give you a hug.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love Carol

Posted by: Carol Sampson - Melrose, MA - Family Friend Apr 15, 2020

Very sorry for the loss of your beloved mother. My deepest condolences for John and Mandy and their close family members during this difficult time.

Posted by: Grace Gao - West Roxbury, MA - Family Friend Apr 15, 2020

So sorry for your loss susan scott b and all of your family

Posted by: Marlene Kaplan - Melrose, MA - Family Friend Apr 15, 2020

The Gately Family and Staff wish to express our sincere sympathy to you. It is our hope that we may be able to make a difficult time more bearable. Please feel free to call on us at anytime as we are always available to you.

Posted by: John W. gately, John H. Gately & fred Spragua - Melrose, MA Apr 15, 2020

Page: 2 of 2

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Mildred D. "Millie" Frechette) Harkins Obituary

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