MILLIE MARGARET (COX) VICKERY, 93 LENA - Millie Margaret (Cox) Vickery, 93, passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2013, in Lena. Millie was born on April 29, 1920, in Clinton County, Indiana. She was the daughter of Walter and Opal (Small) Cox and had one older sister, Neva Ringer. She was a member of the Hills Baptist Church in Indiana. Millie married Dr. Eugene L. Vickery on December 21, 1941. After the war, they moved to Lena, where they joined the Lena United Methodist Church. Millie was always active in her community. She started the Beta Sigma Phi sorority in Lena and was a member of Delta Delta Delta at Indiana University. She was also a member of Senior Women's Honorary, Mortar Board, at Indiana University, and PEO in Freeport. Millie also served on the board of Highland Community College for more than twenty years. Many of you knew Millie through her "Cooking with Millie" column in the Northwestern Illinois Farmer, where she shared recipes and a good helping of cheerful philosophy and good advice. She loved to share the comings and goings of her children and grandchildren, who were the focus of her life, along with her husband, Dr. "Vic." She also managed a long journalistic career, writing for the "MD's Wife," editing the "Pulse, of the Doctor's Wife" and the Highland "Bucket" for many years. She was known as the "Blessing Bag Lady," for one of her special projects. She sewed, and distributed thousands of "Blessing Bags." She encouraged the recipient to place a coin in the little bag when they felt blessed, and when it was full, to give it to someone else, who might need it. She gave her last blessing bag to her hospice nurse, Joyce, last Wednesday. For almost forty years, if it was Tuesday, it was "Bridge" - the gathering started in 1950 of the most wonderful group of ladies who played cards through sun and rain and snow, and supported one another through all their trials and tribulations of raising families and life in general. And, of course, her beloved Beta Sigma Phi, an organization that has contributed so much to Life in Lena, was very important to her. Millie dearly loved her friends and family, and she will be deeply missed. She lives on in our hearts. Survivors include her children, Douglas E. (Maria) Vickery of Smartsville, California, Michelle Suski of Pleasanton, California, Anita (William) Ramsey of Lady Lake, Florida, and Dr. Jon L (Diane) Vickery of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Vickery on July 22, 1994, and two daughters, Linda Lee and Patty Lynne. Cremation rites were accorded and burial will take place at Lena Burial Park in Lena, IL. A Celebration of Life will be held by the family at a later date, as Millie had wished. Condolences may be sent to the family at [email protected].