Elizabeth A Mills

Elizabeth "Deedy" Anne Mills, 67, of La Mesa, passed away on March 30, 2023.

Deedy was born April 22,1955, in Little Falls, NY to the late Jane Finch Mills and John

Wuensch Mills; she spent most of her formative years in Indiana, PA participating in a

variety of music programs including choir, jazz and marching bands, playing the clarinet

and saxophone. She graduated from Indiana Area Senior High School in 1973. Deedy

graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from State

University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo in 1977. Deedy then furthered her education

by pursuing a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University in

Boston. Deedy’s master thesis focused on minors, abortions and constitutional rights.

During and after her time at Northeastern, she also assisted in co-authoring multiple

publications focusing on rape and the medical profession, as well as juvenile

delinquency. After her time in Boston, Deedy moved to San Diego where she worked in

various administrative roles at California Western School of Law. After many years

working, Deedy decided to transition to being a full time mom to her three children

Caitlin, Axel and Megan.

At the age of 56, Deedy was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. She

fought long and hard to keep the disease from progressing and refused to let it stop her

from living a life full of joy. She spent the last 10 years traveling domestically and

internationally, and spending extensive time with family and friends. Deedy was a kind,

loving, and generous woman, a caring person, and a loyal friend. She had an open

heart and mind and allowed people to exist exactly how they needed to while loving and

accepting them fully. She embodied the phrase “come as you are.” She had an

infectious laugh that could brighten anyone’s day. Deedy was a loving daughter, sister,

and mother and always made family her biggest priority. Her happiest moments were

spent with family, friends and her innumerable pets.

Deedy had an absolute zest for life. She enjoyed music of all kinds (except rap, she

hated that), loved to swim, hike, camp, travel, ski, and ride her horse Tulsa. She was a

voracious reader, participated in multiple book clubs, and frequently advocated for

reading her favorite author, Stephen King. She was absolutely brilliant with an

expansive vocabulary. Much to her family’s dismay, she frequently used this to win

(almost) every family Scrabble competition. With family being her biggest priority, she

spent many hours of her life on ancestry.com compiling an extensive family history,

which her kids often made fun of her for. Deedy was a faithful believer and long-

standing member of the First United Methodist Church of San Diego where she

worshiped and sang with the chancel choir. She was a quiet but very generous

supporter of many causes, including but not limited to St. Jude Children's Hospital,

ASPCA, Crime Stoppers and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She felt passionately

about donating to every cause and could frequently be persuaded into donating to just

about any philanthropy you asked her to.

Deedy was loved and adored by everyone who met her, and will be greatly missed by

everyone who had the privilege to know her. She is survived by her former husband,

John Allcock, and their three children: Caitlin (Allcock) Stellmacher and husband Logan,

Axel Allcock, and Megan Allcock. In addition, she is survived by her siblings and their

spouses, Dr. John F. and Bonnie Mills, Susan Mills and Joe Aurigemma, and Stephanie

Mills and Dr. Todd Bush; as well as seven nieces and nephews, Ciara and Barrett Mills,

Sean and Marisa Aurigemma, Alexandra Bush and her spouse Caitlin McMaster, and

Madeline Bush. Deedy is also survived by two aunts, Jean Finch and Mary Finch, and

numerous cousins.

A viewing, open to family and friends, will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2023 from 5pm

to 8pm at Bravo Family Mortuary. The funeral service will be held at 3:30 pm on Friday,

April 14, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church San Diego. The family kindly

requests all attendees wear PINK instead of black to honor Deedy’s bright personality

and deep love all shades of pink.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider donating to the Alzheimer’s

Association.

A special thank you to Noeli and Nancy for taking such wonderful care of Deedy these

past couple years.