Autumn Shields Milk, age 88, a resident of Union City and formerly of Waterford, died Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at Hamot Medical Center. Born in Butler County, PA on October 6, 1921, she was the daughter of the late David and Clarabelle Gardner Shields.
Autumn was a beautician operating her own shop in Waterford for many years as well as being an “Avon Lady”. She was active in the Waterford community and was a member of the American Legion Post #285 Auxiliary for over 66 years, a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Pleasantview Garden Club, and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Milk, and her two brothers, Melvyn and Ronald Shields. She is survived by many cousins including Dell Shields and his wife Barbara of Waterford, and also four step-sons, David, John, Larry, and James Milk.
Visiting hours will be at the Van Matre Funeral Home of Waterford on Saturday morning from 10:00am until the time of the funeral at 12:00noon. Rev. Emily Zeig of the First Presbyterian Church of Waterford will officiate. Burial will follow at Waterford Cemetery.
Memorial donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Waterford.
Autumn was my first hairdresser, when I was 12 years old. My mother, Thelma Zimmerman, took me every Friday afternoon to get my waves reset. My school picture that year is a testament to what a nice job she did. I also read my first Bobbsie Twins book there while waiting my turn, and every time I see one of those old books I fondly remember Autumn and how special she made a little girl feel. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
I remember Autumn from going to her beauty shop with my mother, Joann Prososki Tech Botsford VanCise. Autumn did my mom’s hair on Wednesday’s for years. I was a very little girl then but I remember the coke machine, the flowers and the bees in her backyard, and what a kind and pleasant person she was. She never seemed to be offset with the restlessness of little ones when tired of looking at books and magazines. Autumn gave me my first manicure. My mother is in a nursing facility in Charlotte, NC where I live and I know would want Autumn’s family to know our hearts and prayers for comfort are with them. We remember Autumn and will miss her.