MILDRED HARRIET DORMISH
Aug. 8, 1936-Feb. 22, 2016
Mildred "Milllie" Harriet Dormish was the beloved daughter of John and Harriet Dormish, both of whom are deceased.
Millie skidded into eternity Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, after having a wild, fulfilled ride during her 79 years.
Born in Huron Road Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, where her mother was an RN, Millie was reared in Snow Lake and Barberton, Ohio.
Millie leaves behind her soulmate and love of her life, David Garland Pike; Garland's two daughters, Barbara Britt and Linda Wilson, and son, Michael Pike; a cousin, Jeffrey Orr of Doylestown, Ohio; "soul" sister, Sharon Thomas; and Ruby Wallace, a longtime friend of 48 years.
She also leaves special friends, Evie Fitzmorris, Pamela Maddox, Vera Altman and Peggy Knoll, and her beloved animals.
After graduating from high school in 1954, Millie moved from Ohio to Denver, Colo., where she began her Air Force career.
She assisted in the consolidation project of all Air Force personnel centers into one center in Denver.
From there, she went back to Ohio to work for the Air Force Procurement Office in Akron, where they purchased all tires and rubber products used by the Air Force.
She then received an assignment to Nouasseur Air Force Base, Casablanca, Morocco, as a clerk-typist.
Shortly after arriving, she was promoted to hospital commander's secretary.
While in Africa, Millie traveled extensively throughout Africa, Portugal and Majorca. She dined at the king's palace, and attended the prince's coming out party.
An avid camper, she not only camped in the Atlas Mountains in June with snow and ice still on the ground, but at various campsites throughout Africa.
Next she was assigned to Zaragoza, Spain, where she camped in Little Switzerland of Spain and traveled extensively in Germany, France, Italy and England.
Then back in the USA, she was assigned to the Inspector General's office, Area A, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and the Air Force Research Laboratory, Area B.
She moved to Goldsboro, N.C., in October 1967 to become the hospital commander's secretary, pursuant to a special request.
She ended her 40-year career as a civilian with the Air Force at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base after being the right hand of successive hospital commanders.
Millie was awarded the first Tactical Air Command Outstanding Civilian Award for "tutor of commanders, command surgeons and general officers."
Millie held the first ever MIA/POW wives' dinner at her home. An avid supporter of the MIA/POW program, she worked tirelessly selling bracelets and supporting the MIA/POW wives, and was on call to go when word arrived that men were returning from captivity or rescue.
For those who knew her, it comes as no surprise that when she retired after 40 years with the Air Force, she continued to work in the healthcare field as a transcriptionist at Interim Healthcare of Wilson, N.C., and Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Mili (stage name) worked in theater for 25 years both abroad and in the USA, swiftly gaining a reputation as an accomplished makeup artist.
She traveled under Air Force sponsorship to other military sites to perform shows, doing all makeup herself and helping with set construction. She was recognized for her outstanding makeup skills by the British Repertory Theatre group while she was in Morocco.
She also received numerous accolades from the Air Force for her work in Tops in Blue and other Air Force productions and theater groups.
She was called to work with the North Carolina Arts Council on a production at the Outer Banks.
She continued to design and teach theatrical makeup for various schools and her church. Millie particularly enjoyed the camaraderie found among theater people.
During her tenure as president of Center Stage Theatre, established a "season" as while starting to sell "season tickets," and encouraged children's programs.
In the Goldsboro community, Millie was president of the first local American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) chapter and chair of the AAMA State Chapter Insurance Committee.
She was also instrumental in the formation of the first local Alzheimer's Chapter, a support group for caregivers of persons with memory problems due to dementia.
If you wish to remember Millie, please make a donation in her name to your favorite charity.
She wishes you love and peace in your lifetime.
(This obituary was written by Millie).
A memorial service celebrating the life of Mildred Harriet Dormish will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 22, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church at 1201 E. Ash St., Goldsboro, in the chapel on the west side of the church. You are welcome to participate in this celebration by sharing a special memory of Millie and her impact on your life.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on February 19, 2017 9:13 AM