Obituary for Mildred Anita "Milly" Tarnowski (Jennings)
Mildred Anita Tarnowski, “Milly”
Born to eternal life on October 8, 2022 -- age 89 years young. She was the adoring wife of 64 years to the love of her life, the late Thomas Neil Tarnowski (passed away in November 2019). Beloved Mom to Alan (Bridget Kramer) and Susan Minton (Abraham Mok). Proud and loving Gram/Nana to Conor, Kel, and Beatrice Tarnowski; Jacob Minton (Adeline Breaux) and Samantha Minton (Bret Dickerson); and later-in-life Gramma to Valerie Mok (Cody Fredrick) and Mason Mok (Sémone Kessler). One of the Jennings girls, her sisters are Jean Ann Toepfer (the late William) and Betty Nell Stingl (Joseph). Sister-in-law of Jayne Halpin. Also survived by her dear nieces and nephews, and special friends that were like dear family.
Words just aren’t adequate in summing up the person that she was. Mom was so loving. She was very smart and was an incredible wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. She was amazingly generous. Everyone always commented on her sweetness and kindness. She was so good natured and laughed easily. She was a great “straight man” to her children and grandchildren. She was just genuinely a good person. She was the stated secret “favorite” of many of her caregivers.
Oh, how mom loved to sing and to perform. The love story of Tom and Milly began when they were 13 at the Youth Group at Bethany Church. They later sang in choir together at church and in the Wilsonnaires at the Wilson Park Senior Center. She had a trained, beautiful soprano voice and – wow – she could hit that high note. For talent shows and concerts, she enthusiastically added motions and gestures to her numbers. Music was always a part of the Tarnowski home, and Al was singing to mom when she took her last breath.
Mom attended Walker Junior High, South Division High School, Wisconsin State College (now UWM), and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. After working as an elementary school teacher, mom later became a caregiver. She had a hand in the care of her own mother, her mother-in-law, Tom’s great aunt, and the grandchildren. She took great pride in this role, and she really felt she got back more than she gave. Mom was always there for us.
When Tom’s health declined and caring for him from home was no longer an option, mom moved from their longtime home and became a resident at the Village at Manor Park. She assimilated into the community and made many new friends there. She participated in their varied and wonderful activities and enjoyed communal meals. About a year and a half ago, mom experienced a mini-stroke that was life-changing. Even though Mom’s health had declined, she still showed strength and a part of her brain remained, well, superior. The whole family pitched in to help, as did Seniors Helping Seniors. SHS caregivers became mom’s second family and took wonderful care of her. Mom made lists upon lists to help her stay on track. We kept a big calendar each week. Later, she became enrolled in VITAS Healthcare’s services. What an unbelievably fantastic holistic organization! We can’t say enough about the wonderful services and support that they provide, as well as the people who serve there. In April 2022, Mom moved to The Bay at St. Ann Rest Home – in the neighborhood where she and Tom grew up. The teacher in her still showed through - she wrote down names of caregivers, asked them to spell them, and remembered them better than we did! She made new friends and maintained her cheerful attitude and cooperative, caring spirit. We are so very grateful to all of mom’s caregivers. Mom suffered another stroke on Friday, September 23rd.
In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Our family would deeply appreciate if – in lieu of flowers - friends and family would send memorials to St. Ann Rest Home, 2020 S Muskego Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Born to eternal life on October 8, 2022 -- age 89 years young. She was the adoring wife of 64 years to the love of her life, the late Thomas Neil Tarnowski (passed away in November 2019). Beloved Mom to Alan (Bridget Kramer) and Susan Minton (Abraham Mok). Proud and loving Gram/Nana to Conor, Kel, and Beatrice Tarnowski; Jacob Minton (Adeline Breaux) and Samantha Minton (Bret Dickerson); and later-in-life Gramma to Valerie Mok (Cody Fredrick) and Mason Mok (Sémone Kessler). One of the Jennings girls, her sisters are Jean Ann Toepfer (the late William) and Betty Nell Stingl (Joseph). Sister-in-law of Jayne Halpin. Also survived by her dear nieces and nephews, and special friends that were like dear family.
Words just aren’t adequate in summing up the person that she was. Mom was so loving. She was very smart and was an incredible wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. She was amazingly generous. Everyone always commented on her sweetness and kindness. She was so good natured and laughed easily. She was a great “straight man” to her children and grandchildren. She was just genuinely a good person. She was the stated secret “favorite” of many of her caregivers.
Oh, how mom loved to sing and to perform. The love story of Tom and Milly began when they were 13 at the Youth Group at Bethany Church. They later sang in choir together at church and in the Wilsonnaires at the Wilson Park Senior Center. She had a trained, beautiful soprano voice and – wow – she could hit that high note. For talent shows and concerts, she enthusiastically added motions and gestures to her numbers. Music was always a part of the Tarnowski home, and Al was singing to mom when she took her last breath.
Mom attended Walker Junior High, South Division High School, Wisconsin State College (now UWM), and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. After working as an elementary school teacher, mom later became a caregiver. She had a hand in the care of her own mother, her mother-in-law, Tom’s great aunt, and the grandchildren. She took great pride in this role, and she really felt she got back more than she gave. Mom was always there for us.
When Tom’s health declined and caring for him from home was no longer an option, mom moved from their longtime home and became a resident at the Village at Manor Park. She assimilated into the community and made many new friends there. She participated in their varied and wonderful activities and enjoyed communal meals. About a year and a half ago, mom experienced a mini-stroke that was life-changing. Even though Mom’s health had declined, she still showed strength and a part of her brain remained, well, superior. The whole family pitched in to help, as did Seniors Helping Seniors. SHS caregivers became mom’s second family and took wonderful care of her. Mom made lists upon lists to help her stay on track. We kept a big calendar each week. Later, she became enrolled in VITAS Healthcare’s services. What an unbelievably fantastic holistic organization! We can’t say enough about the wonderful services and support that they provide, as well as the people who serve there. In April 2022, Mom moved to The Bay at St. Ann Rest Home – in the neighborhood where she and Tom grew up. The teacher in her still showed through - she wrote down names of caregivers, asked them to spell them, and remembered them better than we did! She made new friends and maintained her cheerful attitude and cooperative, caring spirit. We are so very grateful to all of mom’s caregivers. Mom suffered another stroke on Friday, September 23rd.
In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Our family would deeply appreciate if – in lieu of flowers - friends and family would send memorials to St. Ann Rest Home, 2020 S Muskego Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53204