Obituary of Mildred M. Lavery

Mildred M. “Millie” Lavery, 81, of Mystic Park Road Titusville, passed away Monday morning October 19, 2015 at the Titusville Area Hospital. Millie was born on February 13, 1934 at Cooperstown, a daughter of the late Darrell H. and Cleo Doane Cooper. She was married to James “Jim” Lavery on May 14, 1955 at St. Titus Church with Msgr. James Hopkins officiating. He preceded her in death on May 29, 1997. She had attended Bradleytown School, Sunville School, and was a graduate of Titusville High School, class of 1952. Millie was a member of St. Titus Church and of the Bruce Shorts Post 5958 VFW. A homemaker for many years, Millie was also very active in the PTC program at St. Titus School, and also active with the Cub Scout Troop 92 with her husband. She enjoyed tending to her beautiful flower gardens, dancing, bowling, and traveling. For the past several years she enjoyed the companionship of Roy Pepple of Enterprise with whom she enjoyed spending the winter months at their home in Dade City, FL. She was later co-owner of Howe General Tire Service, Inc. with her husband Jim from 1975 to 1983 where she formed many lasting friendships with the people of the Titusville community. Following the tire business, she was employed at the former Gift Box, and also provided childcare for many children of the Titusville area. She also worked began working at the Early Childhood Learning Center in 1992 for the daycare program. She began the after school daycare program at St. Titus School in 2001 and retired in 2004. Millie is survived by her companion, Roy Pepple of Enterprise; four children, Mary Lavery and husband Peter Rich of Colchester, CT, Carol L. Barnhart and husband Dan of Titusville, Dennis M. Lavery of Carlisle, PA, and Mark J. Lavery and wife Jody of Pleasantville; six grandchildren, Bethany A. Zahner of Norwich, CT, Lisa Schwartz and husband Adam of Pleasantville, Aaron Barnhart, Sean Barnhart, Samantha Lewis and husband Jeff, all of Titusville, and Shannon Lavery of Pleasantville; and a great granddaughter, Emma Barnhart of Titusville. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Elwood and Lloyd Cooper and two sisters, Ethna Bidwell and Laura Jean Reynolds. Friends may call at Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St. Titusville on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM and attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at 10:00 AM at St. Titus Church with Fr. Walter E. Packard as celebrant. The family asks that memorials be made to the John Kansius Cancer Research Foundation of Erie, to Hospice of Crawford County, or to Benson Memorial Library. Interment will be in St. Catharines Cemetery. FLOWERS