PORTLAND – Millie Demirs of Gardiner, formerly of Denmark and Bridgton, died peacefully on Oct. 26, at Maine Medical Center, surrounded by the love of her family and resting on and covered by quilts made by her granddaughter Maria and by her dear friend, Dottie Young, of Land O’Lakes, Florida.

The daughter of Robert and Evelyn Blake Daywas born Feb. 2, 1926. She grew up in Denmark, graduating from Denmark High School as the valedictorian of her class. After graduating from Northeastern Business School, she worked as clerk and hygienist for Dr. Corthell, a Portland dentist.

After her marriage on Christmas Eve, 1947, to Arthur Demirs, with whom she shared the next 60 years, she centered herself with family life, becoming active as a Girl Scout leader and once more returning to her piano, providing her family with a house filled with music.

After her husband’s retirement from the military, she moved with her family back to her hometown, where she participated in the life of the town, becoming tax collector and active in the Eastern Star, working her way through the chairs to worthy matron, and in the Rebekahs, as well as the Grange.

For many years she owned Millie’s Antiques in Bridgton, establishing herself as an authority on antique china and glass. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting, often creating original patterns. She enjoyed taking ballroom dancing lessons with her husband, loved to travel, wintering in Florida for many years, and journeying around America to visit friends and see the Rose Parade. One especially wonderful memory for her was the trip she made this past summer from Cincinnati to Nashville on the historic paddleboat, the Delta Queen, with her family.

She will always be remembered for her kindness, her gentle ways, and her gift of loving and caring for people. She was a confidante to countless individuals who needed a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen.

She created a home that was always open to relatives, friends and acquaintances; she was the quintessential homemaker and could prepare a holiday dinner for 25 with as much ease as for three. More than one delinquent taxpayer decided on a budget plan over coffee and apple pie at her kitchen table. Her life was inspired by one of her favorite framed prints, “Let me live in a house by the side of the road. . .and be a friend. . .If there is any good that I may do, let me do it now.” Her greatest joy in life was her family and friends.

She is survived by a son-in-law and daughter, John and Marj Burgess and her beloved granddaughter Maria of Gardiner; an aunt, Edith Sawyer, of Denmark; grandsons and their families, Matt Burgess of Bridgton, and Andy and Angie Burgess of Windsor, as well as cousins and their families; the Demirs families in Lynn, Mass.; and her many friends, including those special ones at Highland Terrace apartments and at church.

She was predeceased in October 2007, by her husband, Arthur Demirs, U.S. Army retired.

The family wishes to express sincere gratitude and thanks to the Gardiner Rescue, MaineGeneral, Maine Medical Center, and LifeFlight medical teams for their compassionate and caring interventions and support.