Mildred E. Hope, 86, Had Kind Words for All

Mildred E. "Millie" Hope, 86, of Vineyard Haven, died on Thursday, May 16, at the Windemere Nursing Home, where she had lived for the past eight years.

She was born to Albert and Sophia Topham on Sept. 28, 1915, in Natick. She lived there until August 1945, when she came to the Island with her first husband, Carol Drew (who died in 1966), and two sons, Edwin and Linden.

For almost 25 years, Millie was a well-known and much-loved employee of the Holmes Hole Store on Main street in Vineyard Haven. She was a gracious lady with a big smile and a kind word for everyone she met.

Millie re-married on February 14, 1970, to the late, Clinton "Curly" Hope of Vineyard Haven, with whom she shared her love of flowers. Together they spent many hours working in their yard and watching the many birds that came to nest there.

She is survived by her five stepchildren, Edwin Drew, Linden Drew and Marsha Merrill of Vineyard Haven, and Roy Hope and Robert Hope of Oak Bluffs; all of their respective spouses, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A graveside service was held on May 21 at the West Tisbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.