Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
Dorcas “Bernice” Millar Memorial
Dorcas “Bernice” Millar Memorial

Dorcas “Bernice” Millar

Dorcas “Bernice” Millar

Tuesday, November 1st, 2016

millar-bernice-currentDorcas “Bernice” Millar, 95, a longtime Whatcom County resident, passed away on Monday, October 31, 2016 at the Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham.
She was born March 7, 1921, in Lyman, WA, the youngest of nine children of Bert & Margaret (Dickie) Shellhamer. She attended Lyman Grade School and then Sedro-Woolley High School, where she was active in student activities, graduating with the class of 1939. This is also where she met her future husband, Robert Millar, in Chemistry class. She then attended and graduated from Western Washington University in Bellingham, where she was editor of the school newspaper and was twice chosen to appear in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.
Bernice began teaching in East Stanwood on an Emergency War Time Certificate. She left this position to serve her country in the U.S. Marine Corps during WW II. At the end of WWII, she left the Marine Corps to marry Navy pilot, Robert Millar and they were united in marriage in Santa Ana, California, in 1945.
The Millars returned to Skagit County after the war and Bernice finished her four year teaching degree. She taught school in Hamilton and in Bellingham and was an elementary school principal in Bellingham for over 20 years. Bernice was a life member of the National Education Association; a charter member of Women in Military Service; and a member of the Washington State and the Whatcom County Retired Teachers Association.
She is survived by her daughter, Robyn Millar of Bellingham, and 142 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; eight brothers and sisters and by her husband, Robert in 2009.
Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2016, at 11:00 AM at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with Chaplain Buck Fowler officiating. Services are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.

Guestbook

  • Shirley Bartlett

    Robyn I am so awed by aunt Bernice and feel so happy that we had her for as long as we have. I will greatly miss her phone calls and her Christmas news letter and felt so close to her and aunt Violet. I remember visiting her at the school also Aunt Violet when we came to Washington for vacation. Our love of family was so awesome. You are in my thoughts and prayers take good care of your self.
    Love you.
    Cousin Shirley Bartlett

  • Barbara Perkins

    May you find comfort in knowing that others share your loss. with deep Sympathy

  • Margie Hennessy

    Our Aunt Bernice was an amazing, strong, generous, kind and loving Aunt!!
    Her words of wisdom, stories that she told and memories we have of her will live on in our hearts forever!! She will be greatly missed!!!!