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Mildred Martin

November 2, 2021
Sarasota, FL

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Martin, Mildred 4/11/1933 - 11/2/2021 Sarasota Mildred (Millie) Virginia Runnells Martin was born in Ames, Iowa the daughter of Veterinarian and loving mother, Russell and Laura Runnells. She grew up in East Lansing, Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1955 with a BA in English and Spanish. At Michigan State, she was president of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and a member of Mortar Board. She was an avid and loyal Michigan State Spartan. After graduation she accepted a job in Detroit with Michigan Bell Telephone Company in Employee Relations. She met the love of her life, John Martin, at the bus stop in Detroit on their way to work. That bus ride started a life-ride filled with love and adventure that they shared for the next 64 years. They were married at Michigan State University in 1957. They moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan where John accepted a job at the Upjohn Company with the International Relations department. Millie also worked at Upjohn in the Employee Publications department. Millie's international odyssey began in 1964 when John was transferred to Mexico City, Mexico for six years, and then to San Juan, Puerto Rico for 18 years. While in Mexico, she was a volunteer pink lady at the ABC Hospital. She was an active mother at the American School in both Mexico and the Caribbean Consolidated School in San Juan. She also served as a corporate hostess and tour guide for visitors from near and far. She was an active member of PEO and treasured her friendships with her PEO sisters. One of Millie's greatest joys was travel. She traveled around the world and treasured every adventure. After they returned to Kalamazoo in 1988, John retired from Upjohn and they moved to Sarasota. She loved Sarasota's vibrant cultural life. One of Millie's greatest loves was spending summers on Torch Lake in Northern Michigan. She loved canoeing, swimming, making wishes on the wishing rock and singing around the campfire with her family. Words used to describe Millie are strong, smart, sweet, classy, kind, generous and passionate. She greeted everyone with a smile and touched so many lives through her encouraging words. In addition to her husband, Millie is survived by daughters Suzie Gonzalez (husband Jorge Gonzalez) and Mary Kay Heldman (husband Craig Heldman), and her four beloved, beautiful and bright grandchildren Kristina, Carlos, John and Madelyn. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Sarasota Memorial Hospital 1515 S. Osprey Ave., Suite B4 Sarasota, FL 34239 - smhf.org or Planned Parenthood P.O. Box 97166 Washington, DC 20090 - plannedparenthood.org.