Mildred “Millie” Morris
Mildred “Millie” Morris, 88, a lifelong East Providence resident, passed away on the morning of August 2, 2023.
Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Manuel N. and Leonora (Lewis) Sousa. Millie worked for 32 years as a school secretary. She worked at the former Central Junior High and then East Providence High School. Many students would joke that Morris would keep an eye on them, telling students that “I know your parents, you better not be late for class and you better come to school every day!” Indeed, Morris seemed to know everyone in East Providence. A walking history book of knowledge. Millie, a proud 1952 EPHS graduate, was known to just about every citizen in East Providence, RI
Upon retiring from her secretarial position, Millie was urged by many of her friends to run for a position on the School Committee. It was a time of turmoil for the school department and Millie was instrumental in helping to right the atmosphere for schools. She was elected in 1996 and served for 12 years. She won a decisive victory in her first campaign and never looked back. During that tenure, Millie was named as committee clerk, vice-chairperson and board Chairperson by her fellow committee members. She remains today as one of the highest vote-getters ever in East Providence.
Since retiring from elected office, she has remained an active community volunteer in many endeavors. These activities include but were not limited to the Crescent Park Carousel Commission, the Friends of Townies Athletic Organization, the EP High School Hall of Fame Committee, of which she is also an inductee, the East Providence Juvenile Hearing Board and many other charitable efforts. As a member of the Friends of Townie Athletics Organization (FOTA), Millie actively helped to raise funds and provide East Providence student-athletes with awards, equipment, banquets and other things not necessarily provided within limited school budgets. She insisted on East Providence students receiving the best possible academic and athletic supplies. Recently Morris was voted by the public as one of the few citizens to have her portrait hang in City Hall.
Morris was also active in the city and state Democratic party, although with a fierce independent flair. She did not hold back from speaking her mind and was one of the first women to become a political force in East Providence. Much of this stemmed from her Dad, Manuel Sousa, who was a prominent figure in East Providence government and from her uncle, John Lewis. Lewis became the key administrative aide to former Senator Claiborne Pell. When visiting East Providence, Pell would always seek out Millie Morris for conversation and advice. In 2015 Morris was honored by state and local elected officials. Senators and Representatives from Washington joined all state and local officials in honoring Morris at a gathering, for her many years of service to the community.
In her lifetime she touched the lives of countless students, friends, neighbors, classmates and constituents. As a devoted mother, sister, daughter, friend and lifelong Townie, Millie made her hometown, of which she was extraordinarily proud, a better place to live, grow and play.
Nothing meant more to Millie than her family. She leaves her three daughters, Lianne Bartlett, Paula Totten and her husband Bill and Pamela Santos and her husband Jeff and her six grandchildren, whom she would move the earth for, Ryan, Neil and Alec Totten, Kayla and Matthew Santos and Jason Bartlett. She also leaves one sister, Carolyn Chadsey and was the sister of the late John L. "Jack" Sousa.
Her funeral will be held on Monday, August 7, 2023 at 9:00 A.M. from the PERRY-McSTAY FUNERAL HOME, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. in St. Francis Xavier Church, North Carpenter Street. Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 4-7 PM.
In lieu of flower's donations may be made to Leukemia Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087 or Friends of Townie Athletics, PO Box 16521, Rumford, RI 02916.
