Mildred Ruth Goan

Mildred Ruth Goan passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the age of 90.

Millie lived a remarkable life.  She was born in Detroit in 1931 to Anthony and Anna Ilnisky and married her husband, Dick in 1953.  Together they raised five children and began a sewer cleaning business that is owned today by one of their sons. Millie ran the business out of the family home while raising her family.

Even after her husband passed away, she continued to work in the business until her health began to fail at the age of 89.  But this is only part of her story.  Millie was encouraged by Dick to travel and they began at a young age to visit places with their young family.  Eventually, they took a ski trip to France and thus began a lifetime love of wine and international travel. Millie traveled all over the world.  She travelled first with Dick and later with her sister and friends.

Her sense of curiosity extended to all those she met. Even in her last days in an assisted living facility, she was questioning the aides about their lives. Millie loved music, the opera and theater and had subscriptions to all of them. She was always reading or listening to a book, and was an avid sports fan - especially of the Tigers and Red Wings.  Later in life, she also volunteered at Providence Hospital. She was an exceptional cook and hostess, and her children gladly credit her and their Dad with instilling in them a taste for fine foods and a willingness to explore the world.

Millie is survived by her children, Rick, Marsha (Scott Tily), Jeff (Amy), Tim (Young) and Jim (Amy) as well as ten grandchildren and her sister Delores Laird.

One of Millie's legacies will be her ability to keep moving and to embrace each new chapter of life. 

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Monday, August 15, 2022 at St. Kenneth Catholic Church, 14951 North Haggerty Road, Plymouth beginning at 10:30 A.M. until the time of the Memorial Mass at 11:30 A.M.

If you wish to make a donation in Millie's honor, please consider one that is assisting in the conflict in Ukraine such as, Save the Children, or more locally, Gleaners, where she volunteered.

Immediately following the Memorial Mass, all are invited to share their wonderful memories of Millie at a luncheon at the home of Jeff and Amy Goan, 3156 Rolling Green Court, Milford, Michigan.