Mildred Elizabeth Ehring's Obituary
EHRING, MILDRED E.(HABICH), Palm Harbor, FL. On July 14 , 2018, th
Mildred was surrounded by her family when she was born into eternal
life, greeted at St. Peter’s Gate by her beloved brother Edmond and her
precious grandson Logan, where her faith in God was acknowledged
when He declared upon Mom’s arrival, ‘A life well lived and a job well
done, Welcome Home!’
Mildred was the first child of her parent’s born in America when she arrived on March 27 in Newark, New Jersey, having an older brother Walter and sister Clara who were born in Germany before their parents emigrated to America. Millie was bilingual, able to fluently speak English and
German, while learning many other languages from her world travels. After graduation, Mom worked at the corporate headquarters for Prudential Life, was a world traveler, having traveled Europe many times and even visited Cuba in her young life, until she met the love of her life on a
weekend vacation in the country when this young gentleman named ‘Jack’ asked her to dance. It was love at first sight and they were married shortly thereafter. Mom knew after she met Jack that she wanted to raise a family with him and enjoy the ride that God had planned for them, and enjoy it she did!
Mom had four children, Carolee (Brian) Whitman, Daniel (Jami) Ehring, Amy (Frank) Penzabene and Dr. Patricia (Dr. William) EhringJarmolych and 14 grandchildren, Chad, Sean and Shelby Whitman; Madison and Raegan Ehring; Tanner A., Zachery A., Logan A. and Cooper A. Penzabene; and Nicholas ‘Nicky’, Samantha ‘Sammy’, Jacqueline ‘Jackie’, Joshua ‘Josh’ and Spencer Jarmolych. While Dad traveled quite a bit during their children’s young lives, Mom was the devotee, admirer, fan, enthusiast and enforcer to all her children and grandchildren, though seldom the enforcer.
However, most importantly, Mom instilled in each of us a legacy of her love and perseverance and the many ways she touched our lives will forever remain in each of us. Mom cherished the time she spent preparing and celebrating her husband Jack’s and each of her children’s and grandchildren’s birthdays and special events, personally preparing each of our favorite meals and treats and graciously sharing them with us all! She loved to spend quality time and cater to Jack, her children and grandchildren on the 20+ years of vacations in the Outer Banks,
NC and loved to visit the beaches of Clearwater and Grand Caymans Islands with Jack and her family. Millie also loved to travel with Jack, tried to play golf with him on occasion but was unable to play pool with Jack like Willie Mosconi. Also very important to Mom was her gardening, she
took great pride in her flowers, bushes and trees and loved it when those who were lucky enough to see them complimented her on their beauty.
One of my Mom’s favorite poems was by Helen Steiner Rice entitled ‘Spring Garden’ and I think it reveals why she so enjoyed gardening:
So when I looked at those flowers,
I was looking at God
For they bloomed in His sun
and grew in His sod
And each lovely flower
was a “voice from above”
That whispered a message
of Kindness and Love
For I feel in my heart,
and I know you do, too,
That God speaks to us all
through the kind things we do
And when I looked at those flowers
I couldn’t help but feel
That they brought heaven nearer
and made God so real.
Mildred touched many and will be missed by all, most of all by her surviving husband and best buddy of 60+ years, Jack. The family would also like to thank Rosie Cargill for her loving care of Millie during her final years.
Relatives and friends are invited and may visit with Mildred's family on Thursday, August 2, from 4-7pm at Moss-Feaster Funeral Home, 1320 Main St. Dunedin, FL 34698. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 3 at 9:00 A.M. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 4661 82nd Avenue North Pinellas Park, FL 33781.
Interment will follow the Mass at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL
What’s your fondest memory of Mildred?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mildred?
Share a story where Mildred's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mildred you’ll never forget.
How did Mildred make you smile?
