Mildred E. Heslip

Mildred E. Heslip, age 92, a longtime resident of Northville, passed away on October 12, 2024. She was born on July 22, 1932, in Grand Ledge, Michigan; daughter of Ivan and Emily (Williams) Jones. She graduated from Grand Ledge High School in 1950 and continued her   education at Michigan State University, becoming part of the first ever graduating class from the college of Nursing. She earned a Bachelor of Science and was recently honored as one of the pioneers of MSU’s Nursing program.

Millie, as she was lovingly known, was united in marriage to Dr. Thomas N. Heslip on April 21, 1956. They created a wonderful life together and were married for over 54 years until his death in 2010.

Millie began a dedicated career in nursing at Sparrow Hospital as a surgical nurse. She then went on to work at Northville State Psychiatric Hospital, a position that truly showed her empathetic and caring nature. After taking a sabbatical to raise her eight children, she returned to nursing and took a job as a labor and delivery nurse at St. Mary Hospital in Livonia. While juggling her career and raising her children she also worked as the bookkeeper for her husband’s veterinary practice for 42 years.

Millie had a deep love for gardening, always finding joy in the beauty that surrounded her at home. A true farm girl at heart, she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Millie was also a talented seamstress, creating elegant dresses for her daughters for special school events and their weddings. She enjoyed family camping trips and time at the cabin, often allowing her children to bring a friend along. She became a surrogate “mom” to many, always welcoming others with an open door and plenty of love to share, but that also meant they helped with the chores before playtime teaching the importance of a good work ethic. Known for her incredible hosting skills, she organized countless athletic banquets, class picnics, and family gatherings at the farm over the years. As a devoted caregiver, Millie’s compassion knew no bounds, and she always lived by the belief that she was never not a nurse. With her sharp, sarcastic sense of humor, Millie made friends easily and had the ability to make anyone around her feel special, especially her grandchildren. Her family finds comfort in their faith, believing she and her husband are joyfully dancing in Heaven, reunited with their son.

Millie is survived by her children, Kathleen (George) Buckham, Maureen Heslip, Brian (Liz) Heslip, Kevin (Deb) Heslip, Mary (Robert) Martin, Tim Heslip, and Margaret (Paul) Perry; 22 grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas; her son Michael Heslip; her brother Richard Jones; and her sister Helen Robison.

A funeral mass will be held Monday, October 28, 2024 at 11:00 am, instate at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 133 Orchard, Northville. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Florence Kempf Nursing Scholarship at MSU College of Nursing. A check can be made out to MSU College of Nursing, please indicate in the memo Florence Kempf Nursing Scholarship and mail it to MSU College of Nursing, attn: Anthonie Burke, 1355 Bogue Street, Room A263 Life Science, East Lansing, MI 48824.