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Mildred Rheta Streeter Salamone Gherlone Stankiewicz

Mildred Rheta Streeter Salamone Gherlone Stankiewicz started her life on Dec. 30, 1925, the daughter of Marie (Denny) and Harlan Streeter, and the last child of 15 brothers and sisters, on a little farm in North Haven. Mildred’s worldly life ended on Nov. 25 in Florida.

And what a life it was! Millie, as she was known by many, loved to travel and traveled to as many places as possible. She reminisced about having spent time in every state in the United States, and many countries around the world. Her most cherished travel memory was having “walked where Jesus walked” on her trip to Israel. Millie also traveled to Ireland and England to be able to visit places where her ancestors lived and worked. She marveled at how beautiful she found other places in Europe. But we will not forget how hard a life Millie had. She worked like a man doing farm work. She told us about being with her father on a horse and wagon, collecting rags for sale during the Great Depression. She helped support her family when times were rough over the years. During World War II, Millie worked in a bomb factory to support the war effort. She went on to work at many different jobs as her family needed.

Millie was, for many years, into the politics of North Haven, and the United States, having served as Registrar of Voters and chair of the Republican Town Committee, served two terms on the Board of Ethics and served on a Presidential Advisory Board in Washington DC in 1978. She served as a delegate from North Haven at the Republican State Convention from 1976 to 1996. Millie was honored as Citizen of the Year by the North Haven Jaycees and recognized in 1983, for her work with the March of Dimes. She worked with many other organizations over the years with civic pride. One of her most cherished memories was being appointed as an Honorary Deputy Sheriff of New Haven County. Millie held an elected position as a Constable until her death, and was also a Justice of the Peace, having conducted many marriage ceremonies. Millie officiated at the weddings of most of her children. She also held a position on the Board of the North Haven Fair Association. Millie held many positions with the Evangelical Baptist Church in North Haven, also.

Millie married Sammy Salamone early in life. She went on to marry Richard “Dick” Gherlone Sr. in 1947, and raised his two sons, Richard Gherlone Jr. (Jacqueline, deceased, and Helen) and Joseph Gherlone (Patricia) like they were her own. Millie gave birth to Linda Mele (deceased), Michael Gherlone (Shawn, deceased) , Susan Mele (Gerald, deceased), Janice Nuzzolillo (Joseph), and Terry DeVivo (Tony). She was so proud to be the grandmother (Gram, Gramma, Mimi) to Susan Beth Higgins (Robert), Richard P. Gherlone (Pam), Joseph A. Gherlone Jr. (Marie), Elizabeth R. Gherlone, Kathryn G. Priebe, Barbara “Bobbie” R. Davis (Russell, deceased), Anthony R. Mele (Teresa), Harlan W. Gherlone (Brooke), Jason M. Mele (Morgan), Lauren M. Richardson (Ted), Christine A. Clock (Nathan), Jared M. Nuzzolillo (Heather), Robert E. Britney Jr. (Jenna); 17 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren, with a third on the way. She also had many nieces and nephews.

After her husband Dick, who died in 1992, she met and married Julius Stankiewicz in 1998, who died in 2019. Millie and Jay enjoyed many years of trips around the country together which helped her accomplish her desire to visit all 50 states.

The visiting hours were on Dec. 4, at the Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A funeral service was on Dec. 5, in the North Haven Congregational Church, 28 Church Street, North Haven. Interment will follow in Center Cemetery, North Haven The family asks that any donations, in lieu of flowers, be made to Samaritan’s Purse, samaritanspurse.org, or Animal Haven at 89 Mill Road, North Haven CT 06473. www.northhavenfuneral.com.