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PATRICIA SUE McMILLAN
December 13, 2022

Obituary


Patricia Sue McMillan of Medford, Massachusetts, died at Massachusetts General Hospital from complications of pneumonia on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. She was 76 years old.

Born May 31, 1946, in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, to Janet and Elbert McMillan, she graduated from Elmira College with a degree in social work. She was very independent; this was reflected in her post-college travels to Africa, Europe, and Russia, which fostered a love of travel that continued throughout her life. She settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and spent the rest of her life in the area where she gathered a large circle of friends to whom she remained loyal.

During her working years, she held administrative positions at MIT, WGBH, ABT Design, and sales jobs at the Fogg Museum, the ICA Museum, and Joie de Vivre. She especially loved her volunteer work with the art department of the Cambridge public elementary school system.

Patricia had a flair for design and a distinctive style. She kept up with the latest in films, loved taking photos, adored her cats, Simba and Lily, and remained full of hope and curiosity. Described by friends as sensitive, perceptive, and artsy, Patricia was someone you did not forget. She touched many lives with her kindness and generosity.

Patricia’s desire to connect with those she encountered drew people to her. Her caring of her friends never ceased, and she had a gift for nurturing friendships. Although she faced major challenges in her life, her bravery and resilience were an inspiration to those close to her. Her lively mind was a hallmark of her intelligence. Her memory was legendary; she could remember conversations and incidents from decades ago.

She is survived by her brother, Richard (Roseann) of Midlothian, Virginia, and her sister, Nancy (Doug Mahard) of Bethlehem, Connecticut, as well as her nephew Christopher McMillan of Boca Raton, Florida, and three nieces, Dawn Pope, Amy McMahon (Keith), and Kelly McMillan, all of Midlothian, Virginia. She was a great-aunt to Grace, Ryan, Joseph, and Kathleen Pope; Jack McMahon; and Cooper McMillan. She is pre-deceased by her brother Douglas McMillan, and her nephew, Douglas McMillan, Jr.

The family expresses gratitude to her health care team at PACE of Cambridge and the staff at the Courtyard Nursing Care Center in Medford for their care of Patricia.

A celebration of life will be held this spring in the Boston area. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Patricia’s name be made to either the Jane Goodall Institute or the ASPCA.



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Casper Funeral Services
187 Dorchester Street
Boston, MA 02127
617-269-1930