Shirley Helene Millen

DATELINE: Reston, VA

Millen, Shirley Helene, 98, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 21, 2021 in Reston, VA.  Born in Providence, RI to Herman and Minna Swartz, she is survived by her two children, Mathew and Reesa (Dan), grandchildren Jeremy (Leah), Steven (Kristin), and Julie (Ben) and cherished great-grandchildren Lilah, Naomi, Micah, David and Theo and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her loving and devoted husband, Max, and her precious great-grandson, Max.  She always dressed very stylishly and was known as “Miss Manners” in her assisted living facility making sure everything was comfortable and done just so for everyone’s benefit.  She took great delight in everything her family did and was immensely proud of them.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 26, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom, with a private burial in Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, MA.  Funeral arrangements were made by Shalom Memorial Chapel of Cranston, RI. You are invited to leave reminiscences below.

Donations in her memory may be made to the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, 1811 R St. NW, Washington, DC, 20009 or the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906 or a charity of the donor’s choosing.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Tall Oaks Assistant Living, KB Healthcare Services and Medical Team Hospice for the compassionate care given to Shirley.

To view a recording of the service, please Click Here.

6 Comments

  1. Annie
    Feb 24, 2021

    Beauty lies in the life that one has lived but a greater beauty is the hope we have in God’s promises. So with hearts filled with sadness may we remember Mrs. Millien as that smiling light and shining example of caring that touched the lives of many throughout her years. Mrs. Milen will long be remembered, not only by family and friends but also by God who extends His wonderful promises to all. John 5:28,29; Psalm 37:11, 29 Sorry for the family’s loss.

  2. Roberta Avant
    Feb 24, 2021

    Aunt Shirley was the epitome of grace, class, and beauty. I have many fond memories of time spent with her and Uncle Mac in Providence and summers in Barrington. May her memory be a blessing.

    • Reesa Belin
      Feb 28, 2021

      Roberta,

      We are glad that you could watch the service for my mom. I didn’t realize that attendees could see and communicate with each other beforehand, but I understand that it was a raucous affair with everyone talking at once, happy to see each other after many years (and actually recognizing each other after many years). So in a way, sharing a Zoom link during the pandemic has a silver lining, allowing people from every corner of the globe to participate. My mother’s grandmother, Rebecca Abramowitz, has brothers and sisters who stayed in France after having lived in Roumania, so that’s where the French cousins come into the picture. We keep in touch and I visited them when I was 19 during the summer. They have also come here and stayed with us in the past a few times. We must try and visit each other as well. Stay well and stay happy.

  3. Liliane Gourgeon
    Feb 24, 2021

    Shirley was part of our American family and I was very happy to have met her a few times. She was a beautiful person and gave me hope to age as she did, still handsome and kind.
    We in France will always remember her and we wish the best to our cousins of the other side of the Atlantic.

  4. Mel Belin
    Feb 26, 2021

    Shirley was an intelligent, kind woman, who grew older gracefully. Who can forget after she’d bring for Thanksgiving a delicious, mouth-watering pecan pie, so many would reach for extra helpings. I can hear her, strong-willed, saying, “enough is enough.” She left family and friends, filled with loving memories.

  5. Frédéric
    Feb 26, 2021

    Dear cousins,
    Just a few words of sympathy from the French side of the family. We may not see each other often, but you are in our thoughts, and we are with you to wish Shirley good bye.
    Avec toutes nos condoléances,
    Frédéric and the rest of the family.

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