Virginia Mills

Virginia (Rottari) Mills passed away on August 31, 2015, surrounded by her children, who remembered her as a caring woman who lived a life of service. Ginny was born in Lorain, Ohio, on October 12, 1922 to Mary Magdalena and Daniel Rottari, Romanian immigrants. She had four brothers and two sisters: Margaret, Betty, George, Donny, Whitney, and Richard. She came by her middle name in a pact with her sister Margaret. Neither girls had middle names, so Margaret chose May and Ginny chose June. Ginny decided to become a nurse after her brother George died in a tragic accident. She graduated from Toledo School of Nursing and then enlisted in the Army during WWII. She served in England helping wounded soldiers and earned the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Although Ginny didn't think of herself as a heroine, she accomplished brave acts. When she learned that Marge's husband, Rich Orozco, had been wounded in battle, she traveled by train to find him. When Rich opened his eyes, he said he saw an angel. It was Ginny. She married Charles Albert Mills while they were both in the service, in November, 1945. They were together for 32 years until his death in 1977. They built their own home in Sheffield, Ohio, where they raised their three children Carol Ann, Craig Albert, and Clyde Allen. Ginny lived there until she moved to North Carolina in 1998 to be near her sons and family in Asheville. She made many trips to Alaska to visit her daughter and her family. Working in her garden and feeding the birds were favorite activities. She spent many happy hours planting, mowing her acre yard, looking out her window with her binoculars watching birds. She relished picnics in the summer, holidays and Sunday dinners with her family. Ginny had great fun cooking Romanian dishes with her granddaughter, Christina. Ginny worked as a registered nurse and as a supervisor in Lorain and Amherst hospitals and in school as a visiting nurse, caring for children and shut-ins. As a member of First Presbyterian in Lorain, Ohio, she cooked and served delicious meals and provided groceries and clothing to those in need for many years. During her 15 years in Asheville, she was a member of Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, where she was truly loved by the congregation. Her passion was helping to prepare meals for the Womens Rescue Mission and singing at nursing homes with the Asbury Singers. Ginny struggled the last several years first with macular degeneration and then dementia/Alzheimer's. She moved to the WNC Baptist Home two years ago and then was cared for at the CarePartners Solace Center the last few days of her life. Virginia outlived her husband, parents, all her brothers and sisters, and her grandson, Elliot. She leaves her daughter Carol (Waters) and husband Bob and granddaughter Christina Joy; her sons, Clyde, and Craig and wife Cathy, and grandsons Kyle and Eric; sister-in-law, Dorothy; and many nieces and nephews. The family is grateful for the caring support of CarePartners during Ginny June's last days and the WNC Baptist Home Fowler Unit staff. Persons wishing to remember Ginny may make a donations to CarePartners, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813, or a charity of your choice. For a more personal connection, please feed the birds as Ginny loved to do. Mrs. Mills will be interred with her husband and parents at Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Lorain, Ohio. A memorial service in Asheville will be announced at a later date. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family in Asheville.