Mildred Shillito Peirce Hornbraye, 66, passed away unexpectedly on December 25, 2012 at Beverly Hospital. She resided at Hunt Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Danvers for the past two and a half years. Born in Boston on May 14, 1946, Milly was the daughter of the late Robert K. Peirce and Mildred M. Peirce. She attended Shore Country Day School in Beverly and graduated from the former Academy of the Assumption in Wellesley Hills. She studied at the former Bryant and Stratton business school in Boston where she obtained an associate’s degree in marketing and public relations. She enjoyed employment at Brigham and Women’s, Boston Children’s Hospital and the State Bar of California in Los Angeles.
Milly was raised in Topsfield then lived in Boston during and after college. As a young adult, Milly enjoyed traveling in Europe. Other vacation destinations she particularly enjoyed include Nashville and Niagara Falls. She married James F. Hornbraye on March 7, 1971 in Cincinnati where her parents had wed. She and her husband then spent several years in California. In 1975 when daughter, Jennifer was born, she gave up her career to devote herself full-time to motherhood. The family moved to Tidewater, Virginia and remained for 11 years. Milly and Jennifer then moved to Amesbury, and stayed for 4 years before returning to Milly’s hometown of Topsfield, where they lived for the next 14 years. Milly also resided in Peabody and Danvers more recently. Milly faithfully attended church and was caring and attentive to her family and friends.
Milly is survived by her husband, James F. Hornbraye of Myrtle Beach, SC, her daughter Jennifer P. Hornbraye of Myrtle Beach, SC, her brother Robert K. Peirce II of Dorchester, MA, her brother Frederick C. Peirce and wife Joyce Peirce of Housatonic, MA, her cousins Stewart Shillito Maxwell II of Cincinnati, Irving and Mary Maxwell of Cincinnati, Marcella Chamberlain of Cincinnati, Betty Elsey of Cincinnati, Gay Peirce Medvedeff & husband Nick Medvedeff of Philadelphia and many other cousins. Milly was predeceased by her parents; her father was born September 1, 1917 and died August 12, 1964 at age 46; her mother was born on May 21, 1924 and died on August 30, 2006, at age 82.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Friday, January 4, at St. Rose of Lima, 12 Park Street in Topsfield. Interment will follow at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn Street in Cambridge. The family will receive visitors and will share remembrances on Thurs. Jan. 3 from 6-8 PM at C.R. Lyons & Sons, at 28 Elm St. in Danvers.
Donations can be made in Milly's name as expressions of sympathy to St. Vincent de Paul Society c/o St. Rose of Lima, 17 Prospect St., Topsfield, MA 01983. The family also wishes to acknowledge the staff at Hunt Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their care and to offer gratitude to Accord Food Pantry of South Hamilton, 69 Willow Street, South Hamilton, MA 01982 for all the services they provided over the years.
St. Vincent de Paul Society — St. Rose of Lima Parish, Topsfield - a worldwide society, SVDP is a lay organization of Catholic men and women, who meet in parishes to help local community members in times of need. Support includes non-perishable food, grocery store gift cards, and emergency assistance. The main objective of SVDP is to provide children and the elderly with immediate assistance upon request. Contact Augie Chiango at 617-429-6284 or [email protected] or via the church office 978-887-5505.