Lois Milman

Lois Chase Milman, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, great aunt, cousin, and good friend passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 in Bennington, VT surrounded by family. Lois, the daughter of Ken and Betty Chase, was born in Pittsfield, MA on December 22, 1930 and grew up in Cheshire, MA. Leaving the Berkshires for college, Lois attended Tufts University, proud to be the 2nd of three generations who attended. During her time on the Hill, Lois met her true love, Paul Milman, as well as many lifelong friends. Paul proposed on campus and they were married in 1952. Lois graduated the next year from the College of Liberal Arts and Jackson College and always held a very special place in her heart for Tufts. Lois and Paul were blessed with four children, Hannah, Ken, Brian, and Elizabeth, and enjoyed living in several states before settling in Barrington, RI and then retiring to Orleans, MA. They built a life on Cape Cod, where they resided for over 30 years. While they always appreciated quiet days at home with family and friends, they also found immense joy through travel, visiting 48 states and 38 countries together. Their adventures included the opportunity to serve the people of the Solomon Islands in the Peace Corps, in addition to other international assignments with IESC. Lois and Paul celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary before Paul passed in 2013. 60 years filled with love, family, friends, adventures, and service. A school teacher and Chairperson of the Barrington School Committee, Lois was a lifelong learner and loved sharing that learning with others. She was an avid book reader, and volunteered through her local library to deliver books to home-bound patrons. She was also a proud subscriber to the Economist, and often shared sticky-noted article clippings with family and friends. Lois’ passion for local and national politics frequently spilled over into kitchen-table conversations, where her relentless tendency to ask why spurred many teaching moments. Lois appreciated the small pleasures of life, from collecting wreaths and other treasures at the Orleans Transfer Station Gift Shop, to admiring the hummingbirds and orioles who visited her many back-porch feeders, to playing (and often winning) family games of Pinochle. She was a champion of the mantras “waste not, want not,” “many hands make light work,” and “say yes”; all lessons she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Known by many for her TV-famous “Mrs. Milman’s chocolate cake”, those closest to Lois will remember her for her sharp wit, warm hospitality, and boundless love for her friends and family. Lois is survived by her children, Hannah Milman and James Marian of New York, NY, Kenneth Milman and Bridget Elder of Bennington, VT, Brian Milman of Bennington, VT, and Elizabeth and Steve Christo of Mansfield, MA. Her grandchildren, Briana, Eileen and Patrick (Murray), Paul, Nicholas, Sarah, and Evan, and her great granddaughter Fiona. Her brother Wilbur and Kay Chase of Wrentham, MA, her brother-in-law Ed Skowron of Tucson, AZ, and her sister-in-law Florence Walker of Sleepy Hollow, NY. And many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends as close as family. Lois and Paul will be buried in Cheshire. Services will be private. To honor Lois, please make sure you are registered to vote and exercise that right in all of your local, state and federal elections. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Lower Cape Outreach (https://lcoutreach.org/) where Lois was an active volunteer during her time in Orleans, MA.