Dorothy Mills (m.b.e.)
Dorothy Mills, the society’s Vice- President, died on the 12th March this year, 2019, at the age of almost 98; a remarkable age for a remarkable person.
Her life had been a very full one. She and husband Frank, brought up their two children in the village. However, Dorothy was always so full of energy and determination, that in 1968, once they had started school, she decided to do a two-year teaching course. Once trained she became a teacher at St Dominic’s primary school. Her enthusiasm and sense of fun, combined with great empathy and understanding, made her very successful at the job. Many former pupils continued to stay in contact with her, one singing at the beautiful ceremony to commemorate her life at the beginning of April.
Over the years Dorothy put her efforts into working for the local community in a wide range of voluntary organisations. Her priority was to help all the people of Harpenden and to make the village a good place to live. The qualities that made her a good teacher came to good use again. She also served on the Town Council for many years; twice as Mayor and four times as Deputy Mayor, on a long list of committees covering such a diverse assortment of issues from commons and greens, policy, finance, railway management, through to town twinning and Harpenden in Bloom. In 2004 she was awarded Honorary Townswoman, and, finally, a trip to the Palace in 2011 to receive the M.B.E. for her dedicated service.
The Allotment Society certainly benefitted from her time on the committee. Dorothy joined the allotment committee in the 1990’s. Her involvement with various committees on the town council made her the ideal link between the two organisations. She understood the complexities of the town council, and helped so many times to liaise between S.H.A.G.S. and H.T.C. Her common sense, quick understanding and good humour was invaluable, certainly to us, and I am sure in the many organisations Dorothy was involved with over her long, dedicated service to the community.
Her life had been a very full one. She and husband Frank, brought up their two children in the village. However, Dorothy was always so full of energy and determination, that in 1968, once they had started school, she decided to do a two-year teaching course. Once trained she became a teacher at St Dominic’s primary school. Her enthusiasm and sense of fun, combined with great empathy and understanding, made her very successful at the job. Many former pupils continued to stay in contact with her, one singing at the beautiful ceremony to commemorate her life at the beginning of April.
Over the years Dorothy put her efforts into working for the local community in a wide range of voluntary organisations. Her priority was to help all the people of Harpenden and to make the village a good place to live. The qualities that made her a good teacher came to good use again. She also served on the Town Council for many years; twice as Mayor and four times as Deputy Mayor, on a long list of committees covering such a diverse assortment of issues from commons and greens, policy, finance, railway management, through to town twinning and Harpenden in Bloom. In 2004 she was awarded Honorary Townswoman, and, finally, a trip to the Palace in 2011 to receive the M.B.E. for her dedicated service.
The Allotment Society certainly benefitted from her time on the committee. Dorothy joined the allotment committee in the 1990’s. Her involvement with various committees on the town council made her the ideal link between the two organisations. She understood the complexities of the town council, and helped so many times to liaise between S.H.A.G.S. and H.T.C. Her common sense, quick understanding and good humour was invaluable, certainly to us, and I am sure in the many organisations Dorothy was involved with over her long, dedicated service to the community.