Mildred Rogers

Mildred E. Rogers
April 28, 1918 - December 21, 2013
MADISON - Mildred Evelyn Rogers (Murray) was born in Maine in 1918 to Marion Murray and Archie Brooks. She graduated from Cony High School in 1937 and married her first husband, Lloyd Russell Ware in 1938. They had one child, Barbara Nichols (Ware), and resided in the Maine cities of Gardiner, Randolph, Augusta and Portland. Mildred divorced and re-married William Rogers in 1954 in Portland, Maine. William Rogers, her husband of 33 years, and a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, preceded her in restful peace on May 28, 1987 in Madison, Wisconsin. The couple moved to Madison in 1971 to join their only child, Barbara, her husband, Larry K. Nichols, and their three grand children, Nichelle, Kent and Karl Nichols. She had two nephews from her only sister, Marion, who preceded her in death. Harry and Barry Dolan later came to Madison, Wisconsin to live, joining their aunt and uncle "Rogers." Mildred is survived by Barbara and Larry Nichols; Nichelle Nichols and Marco Floyd (divorced) and great grandchildren Elijah, Isaiah, Kahari and Jahlani Nichols-Floyd; Kent and Abayomi Nichols and great grandchildren Gabrielle, Micah and Paige Nichols; Karl and Linda Nichols and great grandchildren Darius, Aqshems and Solomon Nichols; Harry Dolan (Madison, WI) and Barry Dolan (Portland, ME).
Mildred Rogers, affectionately known as "Millie," or "Miss Milly" was a loving and devoted housewife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She had friends across the country from Portland, Boston, Philadelphia, San Diego, and Madison. Those who knew her best knew she had a zest for life, a passion for entertaining, an open heart and a deep dedication to her family. She was an involved member of the community and an active member of the N.A.A.C.P in Madison. Mildred was one of the most resilient women we knew, she survived a car crash in the 1940s, a significant burn in the 1970s, a broken hip in 2007, and yet in spite of these near fatal injuries; she remained a mostly healthy woman with a strong spirit to live. Her life spanned more than ten decades of monumental change in our country and one of her most satisfying moments was witnessing the election of President Barack Obama in 2008. Mildred was a fiercely independent and determined woman, living on her own until 88 years of age. Even in her final moments of life, in the care of her daughter, she did it her way.
Mildred returned to visit Maine annually until her 94th year of life, considering Portland her home and the place where she would ultimately return. She will join her late husband in burial at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta, Maine.
Funeral Service will be Monday, December 30th at 1pm at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, with visitation from 11am until time of service.