MILDRED ‘MILLIE’ ILENE (DELPHIA) LONGEY

SALISBURY — Mildred ‘Millie’ Ilene (Delphia) Longey, 96, of Middlebury, died on Sunday evening, March 12, 2023, at Shard Villa after a short illness. Millie was born on Seminary Street in Middlebury, Vt., on April 2, 1926, the daughter of Warren and Cecilia (Maheu) Delphia. She lived since March 2022 at Shard Villa in Salisbury, Vt., and from 2004-2022 at The Meadows in Middlebury.

Millie spent her childhood years in Middlebury and then starting at nine years old lived on her family’s farm in Bridport. She graduated from Middlebury High School in 1943. On Jan. 19, 1944, she married Hugh “Hughie” Longey of Richford, Vt. After her marriage, she continued to live in Addison County for the rest of her life.

During her marriage, she dedicated her time to raising her children while being employed at several restaurants, including the Cannon Restaurant and the Belmont in the Town Hall Theater. In 1959, Millie and Hughie established the Cornwall Country Store on Route 30. They sold the store in 1988, and it had become a much-loved Cornwall institution over the previous 29 years. Around 1961, they began their long association with the Cornwall Fire Dept. Hughie was a firefighter; Millie was a dispatcher, as well as leader for many events — weddings, bazaars, chicken BBQs, and other fundraisers. In 2003, Millie was honored for 40 Years of Distinguished Service by the Vermont State Firefighters’ Association and made a Life Member of the Cornwall Fire Dept.

Millie is survived by daughter Linda Longey of Shoreham; daughter-in-law Mary Longey of Middlebury; granddaughters Becky Holsen of Phoenix, Ariz., and Jennifer Jacobs of Middlebury; three great-grandchildren Kiara Olden (Tyler), Elizabeth Coltey, and Maya Jacobs; and one great-great-grandson Hunter Olden. She was predeceased by husband Hugh Longey, son Ernest (Ernie) Longey, son Reginald (Reggie) Longey of Brandon, and granddaughter Kimberly McCarthy of Boston.

A service to celebrate Millie’s life will be held at Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Service on South Main Street in Middlebury on Friday, March 31, at 11 a.m. Calling hours will be from 10-11 a.m. at Sanderson’s. A burial at the Evergreen Cemetery in West Cornwall will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions in Millie’s name be made to the Cornwall Fire Dept., 1952 Route 30, Cornwall, VT 05753; Addison County Home Health and Hospice, 254 Ethan Allen Highway, Middlebury, VT 05753; or Town Hall Theater, PO Box 128, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Arrangements under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com. ◊