Mildred "Millie" Teresa (Duffy) Waldron

Mildred Teresa “Millie” Waldron, passed away on August 4, 2021, after a brief illness.  She was 94.

Millie was born in Dorchester MA on July 22, 1927, daughter of the late John Gerard Duffy and Georgina Helena (Layden) Duffy.  After caring for her terminally ill mother, Millie married her husband, Henry “Red” Waldron in 1952 and later accompanied him as his career took them to Dayton, OH, Grand Island, NY and ultimately in 1969 to Torrington, CT.

Millie was predeceased by her parents, by her sisters and their spouses; Mary Alice Eleanor & George Flathers, Doris & Joseph Craffey, and Barbara & Dick Pierro, and by her brother, Father Murray Duffy.  Millie was married to Henry for 38 years until his sudden death in 1991.  Millie was also predeceased by her grandson Wesley Aldrich, and by her great-granddaughter, Addison.

Like her sisters, Millie was an artist at heart.  Her professional career was in fashion.  By the age of 20 she was head seamstress for custom wedding gowns at Chandlers, an upscale clothing store in Boston.  Millie could view any wedding gown for just a few moments and reconstruct it from memory, sized appropriately, including whatever modifications and enhancements the bride-to-be desired. For decades virtually every family wedding involved a custom gown made by Millie.  She continued creating custom dresses and gowns into her 70’s. Her works were utilized in Warner Theater Productions, and her clients included Miss Connecticut and Miss America contestants.

Millie’s greatest love was her family, especially her 10 children.  For her own children Millie was an endless pool of love and optimism, of unyielding emotional support.  She always found a way to look beyond any setback or problem, minor or major.  She was always her children's greatest cheerleader.

Millie had a keen sense of humor.  Even in her 90’she would innocently flirt with young men.  Or sweet talk friends and family to try something humorous or outrageous.  In her humor there was advice and optimism of who you could be and what you could achieve.

Millie was unbelievably generous with her time, and with whatever she had.  If you knew Millie, if you needed anything, and if it was within her powers to help you, Millie would.  You always knew when you spoke with her that at that moment you were the most important person in Millie’s life.

Millie helped raise dozens of other children.  Her home was the center and sanctuary of the neighborhood.   Everyone was welcome, and everyone was loved.  There was always a safe place for one more child, and every child became family to Millie.

After her own children became parents themselves, nurturing and spoiling her grandchildren became Millie’s life.  Each grandchild discovered that Nana soon became their confidant and best friend, and each grandchild knew that they were the favorite.

A 2012 stroke left Millie partially paralyzed, yet she kept her home and her heart open for all who came to visit.   A lover of family parties, Millie rallied in the last weeks of her life so she could celebrate her 94th birthday, and to have one last earthly embrace of those she loved.

Millie leaves behind her four daughters, Mary Leblanc (Bill Busha), Kathy Rindos, Linda Viski (Joseph) and Gale Caruso, and her six sons Henry (Diane), Murray (Suzanne), Thomas (Cathy), John (Robin), Brian (Christine) and Kevin.

Millie is survived by twenty-three grandchildren: Maris Leblanc (JR Amentea), Vernon Leblanc (Kristin), Brian Leblanc, Jennifer Sokolik, Jessica Sokolik, Helena Heck, Joseph Viski Jr., Kelly Viski, Madison Thompson (Stuart), Cameryn Caruso, Henry Jr., Evan, Matthew, Judy, Thomas Jr. (Sabrina), Rose (Johnny), Natalie, Tristin, Shawn, Collin, Brendan, Chapal Silver (Aaron), and Stirling.

Millie is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren: Aden, Colton, Weston, Christopher, Ivan, Skylar, Austin, Lily, Shawn, Melina, Christian and Juliana.  Millie is survived by many nephews and nieces.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, (St. John Paul the Great Parish) 160 Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790. All attending the Mass are required to wear facemasks.  Relatives and friends are asked to meet directly at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Burial will follow at St. Francis New Cemetery.  Calling hours will be held on Friday, August 13, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.at Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, CT 06790. Relatives and friends are requested to wear facemasks at Cook Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org)

Millie’s family wants to offer their heartfelt thanks to Casandra Depugh and Heather Loring, Millie’s long-time caregivers and “daughters”.  Millie loved them both so much, and the family is forever grateful for the care they provided their beautiful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Condolences may be sent to Millie’s family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com