Mildred (Dail) Willoughby

EAGLE HARBOR - Mildred (Dail) Willoughby, 98, of Eagle Harbor and formerly of Traverse City, died Thursday, December 29, at Cypress Manor.

She was born in Fulton, Kansas on December 12, 1907, a daughter of Edward and Ida (Stevens) Dail.

She married Kieth Willoughby of Mellon, Wis. in Fulton, on August 31, 1938.

Mid had been interested in many artistic pursuits, starting with a musical career with a master's degree from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, where she was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma and Kappa Delta Pi, also the first president of a Sigma Alpha Iota chapter, a musical fraternity for women.

Since 1950, she had been deeply involved in garden club activities. She had been a life member of the National Council of State Garden Clubs since 1966 and served two years on the national board. She was a life member of the federated garden clubs of Michigan; an honorary life member of the Friendly Garden Club of Traverse City; an honorary member of the Hill and Dale Garden Club of Farmington Hills; a national council master flower show judge emeritus and a master landscape design critic emeritus.

On the state level, she served as district one governor, editor of the Garden Gate, vice president, state convention chairman, and gave many flower arranging and table setting programs, held workshops in artistic design at national conventions. She won Naitonal Rose Flower Show honors in 1963, representing the midwest region in the Jackson and Perkins Sterling Bowl Tournament in New York sponsored by the Sterling Silversmiths Guild. She placed 114 original nominees.

Mid was instrumental in the founding of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Michigan.

Her creative talent was apparent in 30 years of Ukrainian egg decorating. She shared this by giving classes and presenting eggs during the Easter season as tokens of love.

She had a close musical affiliation with Episcopal churches in Eldorado, Kansas, Falls Church, Va., Redford, and Farmington, Mich. She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City. She was also a life member of the Eastern Star, the PEO, and the Miscowaubik Club.

She shared with her husband Keith, their love of nature, antiques, travel, theater, music, and cross country skiing. For over 20 years, they enjoyed their summer home in Eagle Harbor, making it their permanent home in 1996.

Surviving are, a son, Dail of Eagle Harbor; two grandchildren, Buchanen of Alaska and Raeanon (Derek) Schmid of Calif.; two great-grandchildren, Kalea and Kanoa Schmid; a sister, Alice (V.G.) Ange and her daughter, Marci (John) Miller of Calif.; a brother, Max (Betty Jean) Dail of Ariz. and their daughter, Deborah (Michael) Chapman and granddaughter, Dail Chapman of New Mexico; and daughter, Diane (Joseph) Pyne and granddaughter, Margo of Massachusetts; a niece, Dailine White of Okla., and her children, Scott, Jerrod and Christy.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Keith; a brother, Ralph and his wife, Alline; her brother-in-law, V.G. Ange; and Max Dail, Jr.

A memorial service will be held in Eagle Harbor in the spring. Memorials may be sent to Keweenaw Home Nursing, the Omega House or St. Peters by the Sea.