Mildred Elizabeth McGrath Tyma, a life-long resident of Ansonia, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2025.
She was born in Ansonia, Connecticut on a date that she proudly reminded us was the original date of Memorial Day, May 30, 1928. Millie, as she was known to everyone, was the devoted and loving mother of her two sons, Theodore R. Tyma, of Trumbull, along with his wife Patricia Fusco Tyma, and James J. Tyma of Ansonia.
She was predeceased by her husband, Theodore Tyma.
Millie was born to James McGrath and Mary Mangan McGrath. Her mother was from Ireland and Millie was very proud of her Irish heritage. Millie was the youngest of five siblings whom she loved dearly, spoke to daily, and had a mandatory cup of tea with every time they came to her house.
She was a devoted and beloved sister to Anna Mae Hallaman, Sarah (Sadie) Kingston, Helen Ennis and Kathryn (Kitty) Foehr, all of whom predeceased her. She had a special relationship with her deceased brother James J. McGrath, who had an accomplished career in law enforcement. She was predeceased by another older brother, Stephen, who passed away at a very young age.
Millie loved her pets, including her cat Bootsy, and dogs Bruiser and Bridget. She especially doted on Bridget and treated her like a daughter. Family was her life, and she was fiercely devoted to them.
Millie is a communicant of the Church of the Assumption was a proud graduate of the Ansonia High School class of 1946 and regularly attended their reunions. She had a thirty-three year career as a telephone operator at the Southern New England Telephone Company in Derby.
To her nieces and nephews, she was affectionally called Aunt Millie, and she loved them all as much as they loved her. Millie had two life-long nieces with whom she had a deep and unique relationship, Mary Ellen Weisz and Mary Jane Bennett. They were an entertaining threesome when together.
Millie treasured and valued the simple things in life. She was an avid reader and mostly saw the world through the picture window of her house, always noticing and marveling at the sky, trees, birds (especially the birds), neighborhood animals and weather. She had a natural smile that radiated from her and an easy laugh. Millie was loved by everyone who knew her and will be dearly missed.
The family gives a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Lord Chamberlain nursing home for the loving care and attention that they provided to Millie, with special thanks to Dee and Darlene.
The family will receive family and friends on Friday Nov 14 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Bennett Funeral Home 91 N Cliff St Ansonia then to O.L.Q,A Church (St. Mary’s) 212 Elizabeth St Derby for a Mass of Christian Burial at Noon. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Peters Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Assumption School in care of the Funeral Home.