Mildred Howard

Mildred Ruth "Millie" McConnell Howard, 92, died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019, at St. Mary's Home East in Erie.

She was born on Nov. 27, 1926, in Lake Taxaway, North Carolina, a daughter of the late Mabel and Herbert McConnell.

Mildred was raised in Bradford and was a 1944 graduate of Bradford Senior High School. She earned her registered nurse certification at the Hamot Hospital nursing school in Erie. She was raised as a Baptist and later converted to the Catholic faith. She was a member of St. Jude the Apostle Church and a former member of Blessed Sacrament Church.

Mildred served with the U.S. Army in a MASH unit in South Korea during the Korean War and also spent time in American-occupied Japan. She attained the rank of first lieutenant. She worked as a nurse at hospitals in St. Louis and San Francisco, among other places, and for many years as a nurse and head nurse at Hamot Hospital.

At mid-career, Mildred returned to school, earning a bachelor of science degree in nursing at Villa Maria College, a master of arts degree in social sciences at Gannon University and a master of science degree in nursing from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She worked for many years as a nursing instructor at Villa Maria College, Penn State Behrend and Edinboro University. She ended her teaching career where she started it, at Villa Maria College.

In addition to her parents, Mildred was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles W. Howard Jr.; three brothers, Ralph McConnell, Cecil "Jake" McConnell and George "Russell" McConnell; and two stepsons, Charles Howard and Robert Howard.

Survivors include two sons, James Howard and his wife Patti, and Patrick Howard and his wife Tricia, of Erie; and a grandson, Michael Howard, of Erie

 Friends may call on Sunday, February 17,2019  from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM at the Quinn Funeral Home, West Ninth and Liberty streets, and are invited to attend Prayer Services there Monday at 10:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 2801 W. Sixth St. Entombment with military honors will be at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

The family would like to thank the nurses, aides and staff at St. Mary's Home for their care and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Mary's Home Benevolent Care Fund, 607 E. 26th St., Erie, Pa. 16504.