10/26/1933 – 05/02/2020

Mildred Louise Hea (nee Weis). Our loving mother passed away at the age of 86 on Saturday, May 2, 2020. She fell asleep peacefully at home to wake up in the arms of Jesus.

Millie was a caring, supportive and, loving mother to her six children, Sandie Hea, Tami (Greg) Reding, Linda (Gary) Rickert, John (Olga) Hea, Steve (Amy) Kimme-Hea, Karen (Patrick) Knott, and a loving grandmother to 15 grandchildren: Adam, Lexi, Amber, Ethan, Jake, Meaghan, John, Tristan, Aidan, Niko, Jack, Katie, Tori, Olivia, and Virginia. She is predeceased by her parents, Herman and Louise Weis; siblings, Rich Weis, Bob Weis, Audrey Ustruck, Ray Weis, and survived by Margie Sallwasser, Marie Tanner and Joe Weis. She was favorite “Aunt Millie” to many of her 38 nieces and nephews.

Our hearts are broken. In just a little under a month, our mother went from being the most energetic 86-year-old woman we’d ever known to being someone who needed round the clock care. She was walking up 34 steps to the history museum, a place she frequented, over a mile to and from mass daily, and even hiked a strenuous trail in her favorite park, Rockwood’s Reservations. She always had to be moving — very rarely did you see her sit down.

Almost 30 days prior to her passing, she received a diagnosis of advanced colon cancer which had metastasized to her liver and lymph nodes. She finally had an answer as to why she was experiencing all the stomach pain and assured us she was at peace with this diagnosis. So many emotions….so many decisions…..life threw us a curveball we weren’t prepared for.

Her children were beyond blessed to have the last month, while quarantined and working from home, to be able to care for her the way she so deserved….in her own home with her children and grandchildren doting on her. She was always so independent and selfless — never wanting to be a burden to anyone. She finally gave in — and what a beautiful blessing it has been. We cannot thank God enough. We cuddled, rubbed her back, brushed her hair, painted her nails, and in later days, fed her and changed her. Through it all, she could carry on conversations, rehash memories, smile, and tell us how blessed she was…her mind was sharp as a tack.

Our mom had ALWAYS been a planner. She was prepared for everything, including her diagnosis — she had been sending out her final wishes for the past few years and asked for living eulogies instead of birthday cards. She was such a planner, she told us the day she was going to die. She asked our brother, Steve, to wait until Saturday to head back home to Arizona. When asked why, she said because Friday is May 1 and that is the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She told us that will be the month she passes. We said, “Mom, you can’t pick the day you are going to die — that is in God’s hands — only God knows”. She died at 6:40 AM on May 2. She had a direct line to God.

Throughout the entire experience, we constantly reminded her how she blessed each member of her family and so many others. She was and will remain the strongest, MOST independent, bravest woman we’ve ever known. She raised six children on her own, never came empty handed to a get together and always kept everyone entertained. She sewed stylish outfits for herself and her daughters, maintained her house inside and out (still used a push mower to cut the hills in the backyard, borrowed a chain saw from a neighbor to cut down a branch). She held the biggest garage sales in history and crafted unique signs, made so many amazing crafts (especially the Christmas Carolers which were sold at Craft Fairs), never threw out anything–everything could be recycled. She passed her love and appreciation for the outdoors to her children as we grew up camping, hiking, and playing in the rivers.

Millie taught many things: honesty, faith, good morals, selflessness, and strength. She taught the importance of putting God first always. She taught us to pray about all things, and if that didn’t work, to ask Grandma Weis because Grandma received answers to all her prayers.

Most everyone adores their mothers. They are our rock, our foundation. Mothers become our nurturers the moment we are born and remain so throughout our lives. We thank them for this by moving out, becoming successful and giving them grandchildren to love and nurture the same way they did for us, but without the burden of extra responsibilities.

This last month, she said she felt like she was in paradise, all her prayers were being answered and everything was playing out as she expected in the end. She lived a full and wonderful life and has many who loved her and will miss her like crazy. The holidays will never be the same. God was definitely waiting with open arms for this Angel.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday, May 28, 2020, 11 AM at St. Simon Catholic Church, 11011 Mueller Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123 (Capacity 120 pp, groups 6’ apart, wear masks). Private interment at St. Peter and Paul Cemetery.