HOLLIS - Milford Anne Wilson Hollis (Millie), age 83, of Albuquerque, NM, died Sunday, January 22, 2012 in Albuquerque. Millie was born July 20, 1928 in Memphis, TN to Redford Alexander Wilson, M.D. and Mildred Agnes Jenkins Wilson. Millie has one sister, Robbie Wilson Turpen (Mrs. James C. Turpen), of Gallup, NM. Born in Memphis, TN, Millie grew up in Tucson, AZ where she moved at the age of three years. Her father established his medical practice with specialization as an allergist. Millie graduated from Tucson High School with honors, and continued her education at the University of Arizona. She remained devoted to both her high school and college, faithfully attending reunions of both institutions through 2010. In 1948, Millie married Robert Loyd Hollis, a University of Arizona graduate in Electrical Engineering. They met in 1946 at a "mixer" for the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and the Sigma Chi fraternity and were soon thereafter "pinned" prior to engagement and marriage. Millie and Loyd had two daughters, Susan born in 1949, and Cathie born in 1952. Loyd's job with IBM took the family to New York and California, and finally to New Mexico where Loyd retired. Millie was a fulltime homemaker, as well as a busy volunteer for many organizations, including Brownies and Girl Scouts, foreign exchange student associations, organizations supporting children with disabilities, and several hospital auxiliaries. Wherever the family moved, Millie at once volunteered for the Newcomers association and got involved in her new community. Millie attended writing and literature classes at the University of California at Berkeley and subsequently became an accomplished editor of and contributor to many newsletters. An accomplished cook who loved to try new recipes and techniques, Millie and Loyd were frequent hosts of dinner parties for friends, neighbors, and IBM associates. Millie especially loved the Christmas season and always hosted a party for all neighbors, friends and family on Christmas Eve that was filled with music, children wild with anticipation, delicious homemade candies, soups, meats, canapés, breads, and raucous laughter. IBM took the family to Phoenix AZ, Yorktown Heights NY, Walnut Creek CA, Chappaqua NY, Los Altos CA, Fresno CA, Sacramento CA, and Albuquerque NM, but Millie's favorite by far was Chappaqua. She loved the seasons and her house set well back from the road on a large, heavily wooded lot. Dear friends she made there remain close to this day and will miss her now. Millie loved interior decoration and every house she lived in was one of comfort and casual elegance, accomplished through her own vision and efforts. She sewed beautifully and made gorgeous clothing for her daughters as well as draperies, table wear, and bedding of a professional caliber. Millie was a strict taskmaster and tireless worker regarding the orderliness and cleanliness of her home, but she had a sentimental soft spot when it came to her dogs. She enjoyed traveling and learning about distant lands and cultures, and often teased that she'd love nothing more than to take up residence on a cruise ship. Millie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Susan Hollis and Eric Stephen Jacobson of El Centro, CA; daughter and son-in-law Cathie Hollis and Stanley Mercer of Melissa, TX; granddaughter and husband Jennifer Jacobson, Ph.D. and Evan Hlavacek of Prescott Valley, AZ; grandson Andrew Ross Jacobson of Phoenix, AZ; great-granddaughters Ava Linn Hlavacek and Elizabeth René Hlavacek of Prescott Valley, AZ; her sister and brother-in-law Robbie Wilson and James C. Turpen of Gallup, NM; and her devoted friend, Roger C. Case of Midland, TX. Millie is predeceased by her husband, Robert Loyd Hollis, September 12, 1923-October 27, 1991. The date, time, and place of the memorial service are not yet finalized. It will be held in Albuquerque, near the end of February. Millie will be cremated, with her ashes to be scattered privately by family. For more information, call: Cathie Mercer: 972-658-0805; Susan Jacobson 760-337-2189; or Roger Case 432-695-4359. Memorial donations may be made to: Robert Loyd Hollis Kidney Cancer Foundation at The University of Arizona Cancer Center, P.O. Box 245013, Tucson, AZ 85724-5013.

Star light, star bright, First star I see tonight, Wish I may, wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight.