Obituary of Mildred A Roberts

Mildred A “Millie” (Biedron) Roberts, 101, died on Thursday May 28 at the Sea View Retreat Nursing Home in Rowley following a brief illness. She was the devoted wife of the late Arthur W Roberts. Born in Lowell, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Blanche (Rzeznikiewicz) Biedron. She was raised and educated in Dracut and was a graduate of Dracut High School. In her early adulthood, Millie was a popular waitress at the Kernwood Restaurant. This transpired to a lifetime of kitchen expertise experienced by her loved ones. Mixing her knowledge of good home cooking and polish heritage, Millie’s famous roast beef and stuffed cabbage would beckon visitors from far and wide. No one left her kitchen without reused cool-whip container full of vegetable barley, stewed cabbage or gulompkies. Her idea of the perfect family gathering was a meal that she would labor over for 24 hours. Millie met her husband, Arthur at Hartwell Farm, in Lincoln MA. They were later married and went on to honeymoon in New York City in 1940. Soon after, she held down the family homestead as Arthur went with the Army National Guard to the South Pacific. Her first grandchildren were born in Athens, Greece, where her eldest child moved with her husband while pursuing a booming career as an artist. Millie visited Greece to be with her first grandchildren in 1970. Millie loved working with Arthur on their flower and vegetable gardens and impressive bird-feed sanctuary. In later life, she was a phenomenal bowler, loved a good book and crushed her opponents at bingo. Millie followed her beloved Arthur to Seaview Retreat in Rowley, MA to be closer to their children and to continue to dote on her husband. After his passing, she became the resident sweetheart and bingo champion. She was well loved and cared for by the staff of Seaview, and the family remains grateful for her experience and care at her facility. Millie loved and adored ladybugs, after learning that her family name ‘Biedron’ translates to ladybug. Her room was decorated floor to ceiling with ladybugs. Millie celebrated her 100th Birthday in 2018 surrounded by her children, grand and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. She exclaimed that the gathering was “the best party of her life”. Millie is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald and Sondra Roberts of Billerica and Scott and Jennifer Roberts of Topsfield, her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and John Fourlis of Greece, and by her beloved 7 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Walter Biedron. A private graveside service was held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Salem.