Madeline L. (Laher) Mills

Madeline L. (Laher) Mills, 81, of Everett, passed away Friday, June 15, 2012 at home with her family at her side. She was born March 30, 1931 in Reading, the daughter of the late Donald S. Laher, Sr. and Elsie L. (Reiger) Laher. On June 4, 1955 at the Everett United Methodist Church she married Richard L. Mills who survives along with their two daughters, Sallie M. (Mills) Miller, and husband Lawrence F. Miller, of Everett Suzanne M. (Mills) Sushko, and husband Adrian Mark Sushko, of Phoenix, Maryland and five grandchildren, Dillon S. Appel, of Beal Air Force Base, Sacramento, California Jacob M. Appel, of Everett Rachel M. Appel, of Barton, Maryland Tatiana E. Sushko, at home and Theodore R. Sushko, at home. She is also survived by a sister in law, Joyce E. Laher, of Bedford, and many loving nieces, nephews and their families, and was preceded in passing away by her brother, Donald S. Laher, Jr. in October of 2010. Mrs. Mills was a lifetime member of the Everett United Methodist Church where she began playing the organ for Sunday services starting at the age of 12. Later, after retiring home to Everett, she was an active Church member who served on the Administrative Board and the Worship Committee, was a member of the Quilting Guild, taught Bible school, served as choir director, was the leader and a former president of the United Methodist Women, and for over 20 years was the organist for the Church and the Crystal Springs Camp Meetings. She was a graduate of Everett High School Class of 1949 and Bucknell University Class of 1953 where she majored in organ and minored in piano. After graduating from Bucknell, Madeline taught music during the last year of the one-room schools that were consolidated in the Everett Area School District. After her marriage to Richard, she was a vocal music teacher at Suitland Junior High School in Suitland, MD; at Plainfield Junior High School in Plainfield, NJ; and after moving to Towson, MD, she taught private piano lessons from home, which she had done since her high school years. As she moved to follow her husband's career, she was a member of the Clarendon United Methodist Church in Arlington, VA, the Westfield United Methodist Church in Westfield, NJ, where she was a children's Sunday school teacher and the Hunts Memorial United Methodist Church in Towson, MD, where she directed the children's choir. Not only was Madeline an accomplished sight-reader, a musician with the ability to read and play music at first sight; she was a gifted painter and artist who attended art classes wherever she lived and was a member of the Bedford County Arts Council. She was an accomplished horse rider who also sponsored a therapeutic riding program for handicapped children. She was a talented seamstress who made baby dresses, prom clothing, holiday costumes, as well as home items like tailored draperies, and knew good quality when she would see it. Madeline truly enjoyed collecting antiques with her husband Richard, also, restoring and rehabilitating homes, reupholstering and refinishing furniture, and was a talented and creative cook. When the chips were down, Madeline was always your cheerleader, making you feel like a champion again... never looking back with regret, but to the future for a better day. She will be remembered for her creative ideas, generous thoughts as to what was right, what path to follow, and her decisive and caring ways. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Everett United Methodist Church Chapel with Pastor Debi Decker officiating. Friends may call at Dalla Valle Funeral Service, Main Street, Everett on Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, on Tuesday at the Church from 10:00 am until the hour of service and share memories online at www.dallavalle-everett.com. Burial will be held at the Everett Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Madeline to the Everett United Methodist Church or the Crystal Springs Campground Association.

Visitation Details

Monday, June 18th, 2012 4:00pm - 8:00pm, Dalla Valle Funeral Home

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012 10:00am - 11:00am, Everett United Methodist Church

Service Information

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012 11:00am, Everett United Methodist Church

Interment Details

Everett Cemetery

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