Mildred L. Horn

Mildred Laverne Horn, 81, passed away at home in Oak Harbor Feb. 1, 2008. She moved to Oak Harbor from Phoenix, Ariz., in 2005 to live next to her granddaughter, great-grandchildren and to get away from big city life. She enjoyed drives in and around Oak Harbor and loved the beautiful green of this state.

Mildred was born in Tahoka, Texas, May 3, 1926, to William Benton and Ila Mae Crawford. Sadly, her two brothers died young in accidents.

Mildred lived in Tahoka during her childhood and moved to Monroe, La., to attend Ouachita High School, graduating in 1943.

In high school, she wrote an article under a pseudonym name entitled “The Bell” which garnered national attention to the plight of war. Mildred lived on a big farm and had a horse she loved named Nellie and a dog named Rufus.

After her parents sold the farm, they moved to Phoenix and she attended Phoenix College. She met her husband Ross through a pen pal club and they married in 1953. They went on to have four children, 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Mildred attended ASU for four years and was just a few credits away from obtaining a degree in children’s literature. Mildred published a pen pal magazine called “The Caravan” that was subscribed to for 10 years during the 1980s. The goal of the magazine was to unite people in friendship through writing.

Mildred’s husband, Ross, fondly called her Mickey and her children always called her Mom. Ross passed away in Phoenix in 1999 and sadly, her only son, Jim Horn passed away suddenly last year in Tempe, Ariz., at the age of 46.

Mildred had lifelong friendships with Paul and Ruby Mae Csuy, Margie Swanson and Flo Horn. Aunt Ruby Mae remembers all the trips they took together and how Mickey wanted a big family after the loss of her brothers.

Margie remembered fondly how they both “escaped” to Hollywood and recorded a Christmas album.

Mom always spoke of Flo Horn and read the letters she sent her every year many times.

Mildred is survived by her daughters Sandra Lynch, Rhonda VanZandt and Wendy Martinez. She will be laid to rest with her husband at the Veteran’s Memorial/Greenwood Memory Lawn in Phoenix.