Obituary of
Arehart, Mildred Gray
Mildred ("Millie") Arehart, nee Gray, 88, of Plano, Texas died in hospice on Monday, June 3, 2019, shortly after suffering a severe injury to her spine during a fall.
Millie was born November 19, 1930 in Oil City, Pennsylvania to Allen and Ina Gray. She had two older sisters, Eleanor and Ruth, and two older brothers, Allen and Jack. Family legend has it that a need for adventure was stamped upon Millie's personality while she was still in the womb, when her family drove to the distant Yellowstone National Park the summer before she was born. Millie studied speech and library science in college, receiving her bachelor's degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1952. It was at Ohio Wesleyan that she met Robert Arehart, whom she married on December 29, 1951 in Delaware, Ohio.
Besides being an avid reader all her life, Millie enjoyed playing cards and games, sewing, and cooking, as well as outdoor activities including camping, boating, and waterskiing. As Robert and Millie's family grew, she shared her exuberant love of life with her three children, her siblings, and her nieces and nephews. Already a wonderful cook and baker (ah, that fresh bread!), in midlife she took up gourmet cooking to accompany the wine she and her husband had learned to make. They became members of the International Wine and Food Society, and at one point served as head of the Columbus, Ohio chapter.
After Millie and Robert were divorced, when she was 65, Millie took up competitively racing miniature Indy cars at the Malibu Grand Prix racetrack in Columbus for several years. She began traveling to all parts of the world, from photo safaris in Africa to cruises in Alaska, touring Iceland, Brazil, Russia, China, New Zealand, and more, including an expedition to see tigers in India. Nothing seemed too daunting, even rafting down the Grand Canyon. Once, in Costa Rica with a group of fellow travelers, when the guide asked if anyone was interested in going on a zip line, Millie - then 78 years old - was the first to raise her hand. Her daring and her playful sense of humor made her a joy to travel with and an inspiration to the rest of us.
At times during her adult life Millie worked as a librarian, and she enjoyed volunteer work, helping out at places such as the Ohio Historical Society, the historic Ohio Village, and Inniswood Metro Gardens, near Columbus. After Millie moved from Columbus and settled at The Plaza at Chase Oaks in Plano, Texas, to be near her son Kevin, she volunteered to teach water aerobics and, with friends, helped host game days for the residents.
Millie is survived by her three children, Greg (and Julia) Arehart, Kevin (and Lois) Arehart, Sheri (and Tyler) Mosely, her grandson, Emerson Arehart, and her nieces and nephews. Her parents and four siblings have already passed away.
At her request there will be no services.
Millie will be missed by her family and friends, but she did leave behind countless memories, of food shared and stories told, and of her happy, often mischievous, little smile.
Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.
Tribute Wall of Arehart, Mildred Gray
Millie was a kind and gentle friend and never heard an unkind word spoken about anyone. I will treasure our travels together as the memories will live on forever. She had a knack for card playing and out smarting me multiple times! I experienced her great cooking many times during holiday celebrations at Lois and Kevin’s. She will be missed, but not forgotten. Sympathies go out to all the Arehart family during this sad time.
Barbara
Thursday October 13, 2022
Millie was a kind and gentle friend and never heard an unkind word spoken about anyone. I will treasure our travels together as the memories will live on forever. She had a knack for card playing and out smarting me multiple times! I experienced her great cooking many times during holiday celebrations at Lois and Kevin's. She will be missed, but not forgotten. Sympathies go out to all the Arehart family during this sad time.
Millie was my late in life best friend. Can’t really remember how long ago we met. Maybe 30 years at the Ohio History Village.Both alone that Christmas,we spent a
dinner at a restaurant.We clicked and the rest is a wonderful history. She took care of my dog when I had disk surgery and came at my call during the middle of the night to help me. She might have been close to danger on some of her exotic trips, but she had a real fright when she caught her skirt on fire (too close to the fire place) and had to roll on the ground to put it out. We both had a big scare when one of the horses we use at the village decided to bolt and ran toward both of us. My family enjoyed her company at several Thanksgiving dinners and picnics.Her fancy shaped yeast breads were always a hit with my two grandchildren. We had “Super bowl” parties. Why? We often asked ourselves. Just another reason to get together. I”d like to know the hours we spent eating Graeter’s Ice Cream cones sitting on a bench in front of Worthington Inn. I managed on get enough punches on my cards in two years time to get 6 tee shirts for my family. We sure did all our soul searching there. When she moved our 45 minute to an hour phone calls took the place of those bench talks.She loved people,and any reason to have a party. I will sure miss picking up the phone and having a chat. Oh!,how could I forget the chats we had about grandchildren and that special angel food cake she had to make for hers. I will miss her for so many reasons.
Janet Bauer
Thursday October 13, 2022
Millie was my late in life best friend. Can't really remember how long ago we met. Maybe 30 years at the Ohio History Village.Both alone that Christmas,we spent a
dinner at a restaurant.We clicked and the rest is a wonderful history. She took care of my dog when I had disk surgery and came at my call during the middle of the night to help me. She might have been close to danger on some of her exotic trips, but she had a real fright when she caught her skirt on fire (too close to the fire place) and had to roll on the ground to put it out. We both had a big scare when one of the horses we use at the village decided to bolt and ran toward both of us. My family enjoyed her company at several Thanksgiving dinners and picnics.Her fancy shaped yeast breads were always a hit with my two grandchildren. We had "Super bowl" parties. Why? We often asked ourselves. Just another reason to get together. I"d like to know the hours we spent eating Graeter's Ice Cream cones sitting on a bench in front of Worthington Inn. I managed on get enough punches on my cards in two years time to get 6 tee shirts for my family. We sure did all our soul searching there. When she moved our 45 minute to an hour phone calls took the place of those bench talks.She loved people,and any reason to have a party. I will sure miss picking up the phone and having a chat. Oh!,how could I forget the chats we had about grandchildren and that special angel food cake she had to make for hers. I will miss her for so many reasons.
Kevin and Lois, our hearts go out to you during this time of great loss. We’ve enjoyed traveling with you both and Millie. She was always so adventurous and upbeat, a treasure. Prayers and condolences that you will be comforted by your rich and treasured memories of your precious Millie.
Doug and Rochelle
Thursday October 13, 2022
Kevin and Lois, our hearts go out to you during this time of great loss. We’ve enjoyed traveling with you both and Millie. She was always so adventurous and upbeat, a treasure. Prayers and condolences that you will be comforted by your rich and treasured memories of your precious Millie.
Our condolences to the Arehart Family. We did not know Millie but after reading her obituary, I wish we had known her. Praying for those she left behind.
Jackie Pendleton
Thursday October 13, 2022
Our condolences to the Arehart Family. We did not know Millie but after reading her obituary, I wish we had known her. Praying for those she left behind.
Condolences to the Arehart family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. Psalms 147:3 says God, “heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds.” May God bring you comfort and peace.
Williams family
Thursday October 13, 2022
Condolences to the Arehart family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. Psalms 147:3 says God, "heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds." May God bring you comfort and peace.