Mildred (Millie) Evans Rochester of Port Charlotte, Florida, passed away Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at the age of 89.

She was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday, March 11, 1933. Millie was the daughter of Frank and Jeanette Evans, and sister of Frank Evans.

After graduating from High School, and launching her work career, Millie married Harold Jones. Millie and Harold had four children, Jan, Hal, Sue, and Frank, while he served in the U.S. Air Force.

Harold and Millie were living in Michigan in 1963 when they separated and divorced. Millie made a new home for herself and the children in Port Charlotte, Florida, where her parents were living in retirement. She went to work at Johnny Jones Ford Mercury Dealership, where she soon met a friendly customer, Skip Rochester, who worked for General Development. They began dating. Their romance led to marriage on September 4th, 1965, and a new chapter in family life. Skip’s and Millie’s daughter, Beverly, was born in 1968, rounding out their big, loving family.

Millie had changed jobs in the meantime, working for Charlotte County School Food Services, working in school kitchens for several years before moving into administrative roles.  After she retired from Food Services, she was recruited to work in Human Resources for Charlotte County Public Schools. She retired again at the age of 78.

Throughout her life, Millie was loving, kind, generous, courageous, self-sacrificing, determined, and completely lovable to friends and family alike. She enjoyed many activities over the years. She was an avid collector of books, music boxes, family photos, and anything featuring a cat.  Her visiting grandchildren loved selecting movies to watch from her large DVD collection, which included several Elvis Presley films. Millie was a huge Elvis fan. One of the highlights of her life was getting to see Elvis in person at a concert in Tampa, Florida.

A characteristic way Millie expressed her love and interest in family members and friends was through writing delightful notes and emails to them. Her family was her pride and joy, and she filled their hearts with gratitude for her love and influence, which was manifested in many, many gestures of her affection for them.

Millie was predeceased by her parents and brother. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Arthur (Skip) Rochester; her children Jan Jones, Hal (Melinda) Jones, Sue (Mike) Nation, Frank (Suzann) Jones, and Bev (Kerry) Myers; her grandchildren Steven and Jeff Jones, Michael Nation II and Melissa Smith, Kevin and Jared Jones, and Makenzie Myers; great grandchildren Tony, Michael III, Sara, and Emi Nation, and Kolton and Allana Smith; and her great, great grandchild, Aridia Nation.

The funeral service for Millie Rochester will be held Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 3 p.m., at Roberson Funeral Home located at 2151 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte.  Rev. Denvil Farley, Pastor of Port Charlotte United Methodist Church, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Heart Association or the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County.

Friends may visit www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family.  Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.