Mildred Derrick Genung Sherwood

She asked that her obituary begin like this: “As it must to all men, death came” to Mildred Derrick Genung Sherwood on Friday, August 24, 2018. She died at her Freeville home, age 92. A long life, well lived.

She always introduced herself as Millie, which certainly seemed a better fit for her petite size and buoyant personality than the more formal Mildred. Born January 5, 1926 in Washington, D.C. to Albert and Mildred Genung, Millie was the second of four daughters. She was pre-deceased by her parents, her son-in-law the Reverend Roger Smith, and two sisters, Lena Carver and Jane Dickinson, both of Freeville. Jean Pearson, the sister closest in age to Millie, still resides in Freeville.

Millie had a memorable career in Washington, D.C. and Ithaca, New York. She participated on two Presidential campaigns. In 1968 as the executive secretary to Democrat nominee, Hubert Humphrey, and in 1972 as executive secretary to Democrat vice-president nominee Sargent Shriver. Millie also worked for the U.S. Air Force, the Office of Economic Opportunity, and former U.S. House member, Elizabeth Holtzman. Millie moved to her Freeville home on Main Street in 1976 after she retired from federal service. She worked for a time at Cornell University and spent the last 15 years of her working life as the executive secretary to the president of Ithaca College, James Whalen.

Millie was an accomplished artist and had several passions: books, movies, plays, politics, and Trivial Pursuit (original version). She sang for several years with the Cayuga Chimes and the Freeville Methodist Church choir. But, her greatest enthusiasm was for her grandchildren: Marian Smith of Orlando, Aaron Smith of West Palm Beach and Nathan Smith of Elmira. She was an unwavering cheerleader on their behalf, and never ceased being captivated by her great-granddaughter, Amira.

In addition to her sister Jean, Millie is survived by nieces Nancy Carver, Rachel Dickinson, Amy Dickinson, Anne Dickinson, Victoria Pearson, and Patricia Cain. Surviving nephews include Charles Dickinson, Buddy Pearson, Harvey Carver, and Michael Carver. Jan Smith, Millie’s daughter, could support Millie at home thanks to Hospicare and round-the-clock assistance from family members Rachel, Amy, Nancy, Lorraine, Nate, Railey and Vicky.

A service of remembrance will be held at the Freeville United Methodist Church on Thursday, August 30 at 10.30 am. Reception to follow at the church. Flowers, no. Donations welcome. Millie’s picks: Freeville Church United Methodist Women, Dryden Southworth Library, Finger Lakes Land Trust, Planned Parenthood, Hospicare, the American Civil Liberties Union, or the Children’s Defense Fund.