Obituary: Mildred Millett McNees

Mildred Millett McNees Orem, Utah Mildred Millett McNees passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2006 in Orem after a long illness. Mildred Jessie Ethington was born on July 4, 1925 in Mesa, Arizona. She was the fifth child of Preston Price Ethington and Mary Eva Wells. Her father died when she was seven years old. From an early age, Mildred showed an aptitude for music and dancing. With much sacrifice, her mother was able to let her study piano and ballet. She married Howard Freestone Millett August 21, 1945 in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They lived in Long Beach, California and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their four boys grew up in Albuquerque where Howard owned and managed Howard's Hamburger Drive-in restaurants. They were very active in the LDS Church. Howard died December 17, 1968. She moved to Orem in 1970 and became one of the best piano teachers in Orem, teaching as many as 60 students at a time. She loved her students and enjoyed helping them develop musical talents. She was a member of the Utah Music Teachers Association for many years. On October 11, 1986 she married George Emerson McNees. They enjoyed designing and building their dream home together at the mouth of Provo canyon. It included a large piano room with a grand piano, two upright pianos and a digital piano. Emerson died on May 17, 1993. Mildred was a positive thinker and always an optimist. Some of her favorite sayings were: "Persist in doing," (Emerson). "Don't be a scrub" (Karl G. Maeser). "Remember what you do today determines what you are tomorrow." (David O. McKay). Most of all we remember her for her music. Her "Happy, Happy Birthday, Children Dear" has become a favorite throughout the LDS church. She is survived by her sons, Howard Millett, Ronald (& Rhonda) Millett, Charles (& Melinda) Millett, Doug (and Karen) Millett; her grandchildren, Deylene (& Jason) Morgan, Howard D. (& Jessie) Millett, Paul (& Holly) Millett, Lisa (and Colton) Parks, Karen (and Steve) Henry, Spencer Millett, Ronald S. (and Melanie) Millett, Barbie Millett, Olga Millett, Elder Preston Millett, Tanya Millett, Tyler Millett, Matthew (and Celeste) Millett, Aimee Millett, Deanna Millett, Michelle Millett, Cameron Millett, Connor Millett, Kyle Millett, Logan Millett, and Tre Millett; and her great-grandchildren, Michelle Morgan, Matthew Morgan, Rebecca Christine Millett, Nathan Millett, Briana Millett, Rebecca Ruth Millett, Sarah Millett, Bailey Henry, and Makaela Henry; daughter-in-law, Christine Williams. A viewing will be held Thursday evening, Dec. 21, 2006 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 S. State St., Orem. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 22, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the Orem Park Stake Center, 195 W. 300 S. A short viewing before the services will be from 9:00 to 9:40 a.m. Interment will be held in the Mesa City Cemetery, Mesa, AZ on Dec. 29, 2006. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sundbergolpinmortuary.com