Mildred E. CarpenterOctober 4, 1920 - November 17, 2016SALEM - Mildred "Millie" Edna Sampson Carpenter passed away at the age of 96 on November 17. She was born on October 4, 1920 in Salem where she happily spent her entire life. She attended Englewood Elementary School, Parrish Junior High School and graduated from Salem High School (now North Salem High School) in 1938. She was an accomplished piano player and loved music throughout her life. She played duets, classical music, and a fine assortment of Scott Joplin rags, among many other works. She also played the violin and was a member of the Salem Junior Symphony during the 1930's. Most of Millie's working years were spent as an employee at the State of Oregon. She worked for the legislature as Clerk of the Senate Judiciary Committee for five sessions. The minutes she wrote for that committee's sessions have been cited frequently in Supreme Court opinions and are often used to clarify legislative intent. She also staffed the Oregon Criminal Law Revision Commission. Following her work for the legislature, she went to work full time as the first Chief Clerk for the Oregon Court of Appeals. She was an avid and expert bridge player and played several times a week into her early 90's. She was happily married to her husband, Ransom "Buzz" Carpenter for over 60 years until his death in 2005. Millie and Buzz enjoyed traveling and camping together. They spent time traveling in Europe, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii, along with camping trips in Oregon and other nearby states. For many years, they spent their winters in Palm Springs, California where they made dear friends, among them a couple who lived in Edinburgh, Scotland. They traveled to visit them and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Their Scottish friends returned the favor and visited them in Salem. The four of them had a great time together. Millie also visited Tennessee where her father grew up and where she was delighted to meet her southern relatives for the first time. Millie is survived by her four children and their spouses: Stephen and Dessie Carpenter, William and Melissa Carpenter, Lynn and Bruce Irvin, and Carol and Jim Ottele; by her grandchildren: Martin Adams and wife Tonia Wagner, Marc Carpenter, Ross and wife Heather Melow, Ethan Holmes, and Sara Melow; and by several great-grandchildren. They make up a close knit family that get together for birthdays, holidays, and fun times.As she wished, Millie will be laid to rest quietly, without public ceremony. Assisting is Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.