Millicent Holtham Was Teacher and Volunteer

Millicent B. Holtham died on Monday, Nov. 3, at her Vineyard Haven home. She was 88. Millicent was born in Canaan, Conn., on Sept. 17, 1915 to the late Miles Traver and Harriet (Bailey).

Millicent grew up in Canaan and was a graduate of Canaan High School. She later received her teaching degree from Danbury Normal School and her master's in education from the University of Hartford. She was married in 1946 to the late Binson R. Holtham. They lived and raised their family in Gramby, Conn. Millicent taught grammar school in area schools for many years. She was a proud Republican and worked as a Republican senate aide for 17 years in the Connecticut state senate.

Upon her retirement 15 years ago she moved permanently to the Vineyard. She worked as a volunteer secretary for Habitat for Humanity, was involved in the senior conversations and was a member of the United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her daughter, Judith Giegler of Vineyard Haven; one son, Will Holtham of Menemsha; one brother, Ralph Black of Canaan, Conn.; six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

A gathering will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at her daughter's home on 814 State Road, Vineyard Haven. Interment will take place in the family cemetery lot in Gramby, Conn., at a later date to be announced. Donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, or MSPCA, P.O. Box 2097, Edgartown, MA 02539. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.