Mildred 'Millie' Lieto

Millie Lieto passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family, on Monday, July 10, 2017 at age 90. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Sam J. Lieto on November 18, 1992. Millie was born in her home to Peter and Florence Lazette, in Monroe, on March 27, 1927. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1945 and enlisted in the Army Nurse Cadet Program but was not required to serve because the war ended. She then attended St. Mary's School of Nursing in Saginaw, and was president of her class, graduating in 1948 as a Registered Nurse. Millie married Sam J. Lieto, the love of her life, in 1949 at St. Joseph's Church in Monroe. Millie led a very full and rewarding life and was loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Her nursing career started at Monroe Hospital in 1948. From there she went to Memorial Hospital and finally to Mercy Memorial Hospital. She was the head nurse on the surgical floor for 17 years, finally retiring in 1985 after working there for 37 years. Volunteering her time at places dear to her heart was very important to her. One of those places was the Monroe Relay for Life, where she volunteered from 1994 (on their very first committee) and was instrumental in forming the survivorship program. Her family formed a team, Sam's Fans, in memory of her husband which raised funds for the American Cancer Society for 22 years. She also volunteered at St. Joseph's Church in Monroe in a variety of capacities. She served as past president for the parish council, was on the Stewardship Committee, as a Eucharistic minister until the church closed in 2014, co-founded the craft booth at the church festival with Roseanne Rauch, raised funds and counted money. After her husband's death, she volunteered at Hospice for 12 years, providing direct care to patients and logging over 11,000 hours. She was also a past volunteer with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Millie was the life of the party…she loved to socialize, have fun and spend time with the people she loved. She and her husband loved to travel, take cruises and were able to visit all but 4 states together. Millie and Sam loved to tailgate and attend Michigan Wolverines football games with friends and family, a family tradition they began in 1976. They were lucky to attend the Rose Bowl in 1992. They held season tickets for many years, a tradition still carried on by her children and grandchildren, and she continued to tailgate with her family until her death. Go Blue! Millie loved to play slot machines and her favorite place to gamble was Las Vegas. She cherished her trips up north with her girlfriends where they spent their time drinking cocktails and playing cards. She was a guest bartender at Quatro's for two years with her friend Pam Stepp. She participated in Tai Chi and bible study, and was a lifetime member of Weight Watchers until her death. Some of her favorite pastimes included playing games, cards, crossword and jigsaw puzzles until she lost her vision to macular degeneration beginning 2005. She never complained about her vision loss and didn't let it slow her down. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Clayton and Marvin Lazette. Sisters Leola Balk, Eileen Duvall and Betty Brancheau. She is survived by her seven children Ralph (Donna) Lieto, Greg (Jill) Lieto, Dawn (Bradley) Bondy, John (Shelle) Lieto, Chris (Millie) Lieto, Connie (William) Lass and Joseph (Jennifer) Lieto. Her 19 grandchildren: Paul (Elisha) Lieto, Dan (Shannon) Lieto, Stephanie Lieto, Michael (Lindsay) Lieto, Aaron (Brie) Lieto, Matthew (Kate) Lieto, Cristie (Joel) Ebner, Nicole (Chris) Marino, Amy (Jeremy) Baker, John Paul (Jenny) Lieto, Robbie Lieto, Thomas Lieto, Evan (Amit) Major, Katie (Nick) Sullivan, Scott (Cheryl) Liedel, Ryan Liedel, Chelsea (Jeremy) Bell, Katelyn and Mitchell Polich and 18 great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings are her beloved sister and friend Patricia (Herman) Amolsch, Robert (Laura) Lazette and Doris Eighmey. She had immense amounts of pride in her children. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren could go to her for anything and they always received unconditional love and support from her. She was so proud of all of them and used to say "There's not a bad one in the bunch!" Millie was a matriarch in the true sense of the word and her family will carry her spirit with them every day. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. The world is most definitely a better place because of Millie Lieto! In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution in honor of Millie may be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.