Mildred F. McGranahan

Mildred McGranahan was born September 15, 1919 and died June 12, 2011 at the age of 91. She was predeceased by her parents, Jacob Elton Franks and Sarah Caroline Kaylor and her sister, Mary Jane Franks. She is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 62 years, Robert Lewis McGranahan, her brother, Richard Kaylor Franks (Lillian), her children Katherine McGranahan Livingston (Thaddeus); Robert Lewis McGranahan (Ann); Sarah McGranahan Edwards (Jeff), Jay Byron McGranahan, and grandchildren Carrie Grace, Thaddeus Andrew, Kate, Andrew Elijah, and Bobby. Mildred was born on a farm in Franklin Township, Wayne County, Ohio near her childhood home of Wooster, Ohio. She was a farmer’s daughter. Mildred and her family survived the Great Depression and flourished. To this day, she has kept that farm in the family. As much as she loved the land, it was said she preferred playing the piano to weeding the garden. Mildred enjoyed a lifelong love of music. She graduated from Kent State University and taught elementary school in East Cleveland, Canfield and Leetonia, Ohio before marrying her handsome Marine after World War II. They moved to Long Island, New York where she made a loving home and together they raised their four children. Mildred was an avid reader and gifted educator and used the McGuffey Readers to teach her children to read - and read well. She shared her love of music, providing piano lessons along with a healthy measure of determination. Depending upon one’s perspective, Mildred was tenacious, steel-willed, resolute, determined, perhaps stubborn, but always inspiring. She encouraged a love of the water by buying a small boat so the family could enjoy learning to swim in Great South Bay on Long Island, although she, herself, was no fan of swimming. At the young age of 77, Mildred donned her bathing suit and, with her husband and a firm grip on her grandchildren, led the charge of those grandkids into the Cape May surf. She was a leader when it was uncommon for women to assume that role. Mildred was the Girl Scout Cookie Mom. She was a Cub Scout leader. She was a skilled and fearless driver. She was always the chauffer for friends, even in unfamiliar cities around the country. Years passed quickly by – driving friends places, caring for family and friends, knitting, baking her famous pies, cookies, potato salad and deviled eggs – oh yes, she was terrific cook, too!. Mildred and Bob later moved to Mount Holly, New Jersey to be near family. Mildred was a devout Christian and faithfully practiced, expressed and lived her deep, abiding faith in her Lord. She loved and was loved deeply by her husband, children and grandchildren, dearly relishing their time together. Please join us as we celebrate a life well lived on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 1 PM at the First Presbyterian Church, 125 Garden Street, Mount Holly, NJ. Friends may call at 12:30 PM. Interment will be private at Aurora Cemetery, Aurora, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The Salvation Army.

Mildred F. McGranahan

September 15, 1919 - June 12, 2011