Millie returned to the arms of her heavenly Father on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015. Millie was born Oct. 11, 1930, at Logan, Utah, to May and John Popenoe. She moved to Seattle in 1934 and to Maple Valley, Wash., in 1936.
In high school, she played for all band and orchestra programs. There she mastered 30 musical instruments, specializing in piano. She went to Central Washington University, where she married Robert Louis Britt in 1948. They had a son, Michael Britt. She later married Ralph Rex Yates in 1965, and they had a daughter, Barbara Jean Yates. Millie graduated from Lewis-Clark State College with a bachelor of science in elementary education. She worked for Head Start from 1967 to 1972. In 1972, she decided to open her own private kindergarten and taught there until she was offered a position at LCSC in 1975. She taught adult basic education for 17 years until her retirement. She received her master's degree at the University of Idaho, with an emphasis in special education. She went on to marry Newell Jackson McGahey in 1995 at the Boise LDS Temple. She taught private music lessons from 1946 until her passing. She enjoyed being the church organist and accompanist for more than 40 years.
Millie helped build four aircraft. She believed in helping others, lifelong learning and loving God and her family.
She is survived by her husband, Newell Jackson McGahey; two siblings, Marlene Grassl and Andrew Popenoe; her children; and three grandchildren.
Viewing is from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at Mountain View Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1123 16th Ave., Clarkston. A graveside service will follow at Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens, followed by a reception at the church.
Please sign her online guest book at www.mtviewfuneralhome.com.
