Obituary: Millicent Jacqueline Charles, 87

Obituary courtesy of the family.

Millicent Jacqueline Charles (nee Barth)
December 25, 1933 – December 27, 2020
Millicent J. Charles died peacefully on December 27th, in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, from complications of coronavirus. She had been surrounded, digitally, by her loving family in the days prior to her passing and cared for lovingly by the staff at Gladeview center. Millicent was born in Manhattan, although she was a Bronx girl and grew up and lived most of her life in the Bronx and Great Neck, New York before retiring in 1996 to Heritage Village in Southbury, Connecticut where she resided for over 20 years with her loving husband Edward (1932-2014). Her son Owen (and wife Lynne) are from Madison, CT and son Brian (and wife Sarah) reside in Conway, New Hampshire.

Millicent met her husband Edward on a Zionist kibbutz camp in New Jersey as teenagers. They both attended City College of New York (CCNY), and married in their early 20’s. Their lives were enriched through their shared interests- their children and family trips to museums, symphonies, and the opera; their dachshunds; their love of folk music; and glorious weeks-long camping trips throughout the northeast.

Mil’s passions also included a regular mahjong group with friends, her work at the library, and a love for gardening and she initiated a community garden in the apartment complex in Great Neck. Later in life, their retirement was filled with trips to Ireland, England, Amsterdam and elsewhere, emergency first responder volunteer work, and Ed’s painting, and Mil’s photography. What they loved most was doting on their grandchildren.

From 1974 until her retirement in 1994, Millicent was a dedicated Library staff member of the Great Neck Library, serving on multiple committees, organizing the union (GNLSA), and supporting expansion of the library as a cultural institution for the community including arts and music, improvements for the staff and buildings, and services to the home bound. From her start at the Lakeville branch to her work at the Main branch in interlibrary loan and circulation, her encouragement of her sons in library arts and musical events as well as employment at the library, she was a stalwart supporter of its mission, and her fellow staff until her retirement.
In addition to her work organizing the union (Great Neck Library Staff Association), Millicent helped organize the Terrace Apartments Tenants Association (TATA), was involved in supporting union pickets, anti-war and civil rights protests, and supported the local and state campaigns of politicians like Bela Abzug and many others, and stayed committed to these causes throughout her life, as well as through inspiring her children and grandchildren.

Millicent dearly loved her husband and life partner, Edward Scott Charles to whom she was married for over 60 years and was a devoted mother of sons Brian (and spouse, Sarah), and Owen (and spouse, Lynne) and doted on her grandchildren, Theo, Coco, Gideon, and Ursula.

She had a clear analytical mind and a fighting spirit, as evidenced by her work, social, and political activities and battles with health maladies, but also on behalf of and in support of those around her, including her fellow library staff, and in her later years, many of her healthcare aides many of whom felt enriched by her nurturing support.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests sharing Millicent’s legacy and celebrating her life by donating a tree or a planting to your town or community garden, or by contributing to your local library.

A Memorial Service will be planned in 2021.