Millie, 80, is a thoughtful older adult who lives in Florida. She was born and raised, however, in Brooklyn, New York and the state has always held a special place in her heart. Her favorite childhood memories are of her family’s tradition to see the Christmas Spectacular show and then go to the automat to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate before heading to St.Patrick’s Cathedral. The Cathedral continued to hold special significance to her as an adult; Millie and her husband, who served in the Air Force, would place a flower at the Pieta statue whenever he was home on leave. Millie’s husband of 58 years passed away December of 2017, and since then she has been determined to maintain her positive attitude.

Throughout her life, Millie has shown grace and compassion during times of great hardship. Shortly before moving to Florida, her car was hit by a tractor-trailer, which sent Millie and her family down a 115-foot ravine. She was declared dead upon arrival, but thankfully both she and her husband and her children survived the accident. Millie is a survivor who does not take her days for granted and has used many of them to serve others. She spent many Sundays pushing the wheelchairs of veterans to religious services and she would also send gift packages and write letters to them. As her husband got older, he had various health issues that left him blind and in need of a caretaker 24/7. She supported him emotionally and physically as they were shipped around from “hospital to hospital” for five years.

Millie’s Wish of a Lifetime was to return to New York to see the Christmas Spectacular show and place a picture of her husband at St.Patrick’s Cathedral. In December of 2018, thanks to Wish of a Lifetime and Brookdale Senior Living, Millie was able to return to New York with her son after 47 years away. Between seeing the Rockettes live and paying tribute to her late husband’s memory at the St. Anthony Cathedral, Millie promised she would never forget this wish.