Mildred D. Willis, known to all as Millie, passed away at Evanston Hospital on Feb. 22, 2026, surrounded by the love of her children and the kindness of caregivers. Survived by her daughter Deborah and son Christopher, she lived to be over 100 years old. Born in Omaha, Nebraska on Nov. 16, 1925, she came to Evanston to college at Northwestern University, where she received a Bachelor of Music in 1949, majoring in voice.  She married fellow music student Thomas Willis that same year.  While pursuing a singing career as well as raising two children, she taught voice in 1954 at Sweet Briar College in Virginia and, after returning to Evanston for the rest of her life, was a soloist in churches for many years, especially Christ the King Lutheran Church in Chicago’s Loop.  She also assisted her husband at his job as music critic for the Chicago Tribune, proofreading and providing feedback for nearly every article he wrote.  After her divorce in 1981, she pursued a successful career in arts administration at the Evanston Arts Council, Divine Word International at Techny, Music of the Baroque, and especially Ravinia Festival, serving as Artistic Coordinator under Directors Ed Gordon and Zarin Mehta.  In her thirty-year retirement, she enjoyed gardening, trees, spending time with her friend of a lifetime, Elizabeth Marks (aka Stewie), living independently, learning from Julia Child, and cooking with butter.  She loved her children beyond measure.   

A memorial will be held privately on March 8, 2026.   In lieu of flowers, Donations are welcome to WFMT or Music of the Baroque.    

Arrangements entrusted to Evanston Funeral & Cremation, Roland F. Weis director. Info 847866-8843, condolence and guestbook at evanstonfuneral.com