- Date Of Birth: February 14, 1951
- Date Of Death: May 28, 2021
- State: Arizona
Mary Jo Millage (70) of Scottsdale passed away May 28, 2021 in her home of 45 years. She was born in Hamilton, Montana on February 14, 1951 to the late Lennie and Bettie (McLimans) Smith. She married her high school sweetheart, Greg Millage, in Kamiah, Idaho in 1971. The two moved to Scottsdale in Oct.1975 and welcomed their beloved son Gregory William Millage Jr. four years later.
In the 70’s and 80’s, Mary Jo was a member of the Scottsdale Lazy J’s along with her sister and best friend, Sue Peterson, serving as Parada del Sol Dance Chairman in 1985. She made lifelong friends through this organization. She also volunteered for the Make-a-Wish Foundation and was honored for her contribution.
Following high school, Mary Jo graduated from Kinman Business College in Spokane, Washington, taking a special interest in bookkeeping. Over the years, she worked as a medical secretary for a neurosurgeons’ office and for an allergy clinic. She later worked in the accounting department at the Scottsdale furniture store Breuners which led to a job at her dear friend’s childrens’ furniture store Jami B’s. Five years ago, Mary Jo joined the American Girl Doll Store as a sales associate, a job she loved because she was able to share the fun with her two young grandnieces who fondly call her Aunt Jo.
Above all, Mary Jo will be remembered for her generous heart and her strong desire to take care of those she loved. She cared for her father during his last years and sat with her sister through long nights in the hospital. She loved to cook meals for her entire family, taking care to include gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian options for her family’s individual needs. She was an avid Neil Diamond fan and loved to read, shop, sing, and bake beautiful cakes for many people in her life. Mary Jo always made others feel welcome in her presence and taught through her own loving example that kindness matters and that family and friendships should be cherished above all else.
Mary Jo is preceded in death by her dear sister Sue Peterson and her brother David Smith. She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years Greg Millage and her son Gregory Millage. Because Mary Jo and Sue raised their families together, she is also survived by Sue’s husband and children: Garvin Peterson, Lauri Hannah (Chris), Alicia Baskel (Marc w/Juliana and Emi), Elizabeth Peterson (Christopher Andert), Bryce Peterson, and Todd Peterson (Dawn w/Grant, Trey, and Shelby). She will be greatly missed by many other nieces, nephews, and friends who adored her.
I see the moon
The moon sees me
The moon sees the one I long to see
So God bless the moon
And God bless me
And God bless the one I love
