Margaret A. Millard

Margaret, "Marg", Millard died peacefully Thursday, February 27, following a second battle with cancer. She was 67 years old at the time of her death. She is now home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and her beloved husband, parents and friends. Marg (with a "hard G" at the end, not "Marge") would choose to be remembered for her life rather than her death, so this is for you, Mom. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Monsignor Roger J. Augustine as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Family will receive visitors at the church at 9 a.m. prior to mass. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Marg was born November 11, 1946, the eldest child of William and Laverne Suffield. She was the older sister of Barbara Suffield Glass, Thomas Suffield and Melanie Suffield Lundgren. A lifelong Sioux Citian, save for two years spent in Iowa City as a student of the University of Iowa, Marg completed X-ray technology training prior to marrying her high school sweetheart, Milton "Nick" Millard on July 13, 1968. Marg and Nick were crowned homecoming queen and king of Riverside High School Class of 1964. This honor bestowed upon them planted the seed of love that blossomed into an entire life together. Marg and Nick raised a family of three children on the corner of 36th and Virginia streets. Marty, Michelle and Mark arrived in 1970, 1972 and 1976, respectively. Marg delighted in her children, in making a warm and inviting home and in sharing her life with her best friend, Nick. Marg's beautiful smile and effervescent laugh were her trademarks. She was the first to smile, the last to frown and always the one laughing. Marg was an artist. She painted, sewed, crafted and always had a project going. She loved interior decorating and cooking, reading and puzzles, entertaining family and friends, Hawkeye football and basketball and she was a passionate gardener and homemaker. Mom was always in motion and always made everything so lovely. As a Mother that also worked outside the home, Marg touched the lives of countless patients in her work as an X-ray technologist and later a nuclear medicine technologist. The same loving care lavished on her family was extended to her patients, colleagues and friends. Her professional life brought Marg a lot of pride and joy and showcased her compassion for others. It taught her children that you work at work and live at home. Marg nurtured through example. She mothered all children, not just her own. She and Nick made a point of including kids in their daily lives that were not their own because it was in their nature to do so. Marg always had an extra plate on her kitchen table for those that needed feeding or a hug and a smile for those too timid to ask for help. They attended every game, concert, show and event of their kids proudly, including those of friends and family as they were able. Perhaps the single greatest joy of Marg's lifetime was her role as "Gramma." Anyone that knew her knew she was Gramma! Nothing brought her more pleasure than the company of her grandchildren: Mackenzie (18), Peyton (16), Josie (15), Jackson (12), Nicholas (8), Spencer (6) and Ian (5). When not enjoying them, Marg was worrying over them, so either way her time was spent loving them. Marg lost her beloved Nick in May of 2012. Some losses we don't recover from, rather we make room for them in our hearts while we move through the days to come. Even with the changes that loss and her own decline brought, Marg never complained. Her caregivers, friends and family all will say that she just smiled and said "It could be worse." That spirit sustains her children now. Marg was known by many, loved by more and will be missed by all. Marg is Mom, Mamacita, "Shug," Mother-in-law, "Gramma," sister, "Madge," aunt, friend and neighbor to those of us left behind. However, Marg wouldn't want anyone lingering in tears over her for too long. She believed life was for the living, so please allow us to share instead our beloved Mother's words of wisdom with you."Go outside and find something constructive to do." We love you, Mom. We'll all be okay. Marg was preceded in death by her husband, Nick, and her parents, Bill and Laverne Suffield, along with her parents-in-law, Dale and Marcella Millard and brothers-in-law Hez and Duke Millard. Marg is survived by her children Marty (wife Amie, daughters Mackenzie, Peyton and Josie), Michelle Millard Davis (husband Rob and son Jackson) and Mark (wife DeeDee and sons Nicholas, Spencer and Ian). She is also survived by her sisters Barbara Glass (husband Oris) and Melanie Lundgren and brother Tom Suffield (wife, Lynn), many nieces and nephews, friends and extended family.