NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Ruth Evelyn (Rand) Milliken, 88, of North Branford, Conn., wife of the late Charles L. Milliken, passed away suddenly on Saturday, Nov. 10.

She was born in Sherman Mills, Aug. 15, 1924, to the late Phyllis E. (Whitehouse) Rand and Everett Rand. Before retiring in1990, Ruth served as a police dispatcher for the North Branford Police Department for several years.

She was president of AFSCME Local 1303-155 Council 4 for 15 years. She was devoted to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, taking pleasure in their many accomplishments. In essence, she was the rock of the family. Ruth also cared deeply for all her pets and the many ducks, raccoons, stray cats and birds that flocked to her yard.

An avid reader and traveler, she enjoyed trips to California, Hawaii, New Orleans, Prince Edward Island, Canada and Italy. Her strength and wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her daughter, Judith Myjak and her husband, Frank, of Branford, Conn.; her son, Lawrence Milliken and his wife Joan, of Killingworth, Conn.; four grandchildren, Janelle Occhiboi of Guilford, Laura Grigor of Madison, Jennifer Carmichael and Amy Blewitt, of Old Saybrook; eight great-grandchildren all of Connecticut, who fondly called her “Gigi;” and one sister, Doris Smith of Lisbon.

She was predeceased by her three brothers, Phillip, Roland and Glen Rand; and one sister, Joyce (Rand) Hall.

For online memorial seewww.wsclancy.com.