Millicent ‘Millie’ D. Bicknell

Millicent “Millie” D. Bicknell, died peacefully on Sept. 16, 2022, at her home in Knoxville, Tennessee. Millie was born June 18, 1929, to Gladys and Joseph Belanger, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1948.

Millicent was married to Robert “Bob” C Bicknell for 54 years, who died on Nov. 3, 2007, in Fort Myers, Florida.

Millie met Bob at a dance at The Commodore in Lowell, Massachusetts. The story goes that Millie had just returned from the lady’s powder room when Bob spotted her and waited until she walked by him, then asked her to dance. She, of course, said yes. They danced all night together, and the pursuit began. Bob said to his friends when he first saw her that he, “was going to marry that girl.” Millie was ultimately won over by Bob’s tenacity, quirky humor and his eagerness for a night on the town. She was the love of his life.

At that time, Millie was about to graduate as an RN from Lawrence General Hospital in the fall of 1952. They immediately announced their engagement and were married on Sept. 5, 1953. Millie was a registered nurse for most of her life. She relished that time by balancing the needs of her patients and the demands/responsibilities of the job. While Millie held many positions as an RN, her family always came first, which was clearly evident in her devotion to them. Millie was a wife, mother, aunt, granny, great-grandmother and a good friend.

During the early years of her marriage to Bob, they lived in Nashua, New Hampshire. Millie was involved with many clubs and organizations. Two that she most cherished were the Nashua Junior Woman’s Club and Nashua Children’s Home. As a past president of both organizations, she was actively involved in their direction and fundraising for many years.

As devoted Christians, Millie and Bob both gave their life to the Lord. Millie was a strong believer who knew and truly believed the stories of the Bible and the conviction of the cross. She and Bob had many years of Bible studies in their homes in Nashua and Florida. She wanted everyone to know the Lord Jesus and to spend eternity in heaven with Him. Millie loved to sing, was in many church choirs, along with Bob, as they both were very committed to their local church.

Mille enjoyed traveling and had the pleasure of visiting most of the USA as well as several trips to Europe and Israel. She and Bob retired with homes in Moody, Maine, and Ft. Meyers, Florida, ultimately settling in Knoxville. She loved being in Knoxville with family and her cat, Missy. She was a member of Arrowhead Church, where she taught adult Sunday school, sang in the choir at Christmas and Easter, helped with rummage sales and was actively involved in the Happy Heart Community.

She wore the name “Granny” proudly with her five grandchildren and loved meeting her great-grandson, Zeke, born in 2021. Over the past few months, she loved his nonstop chattering, running around her house at their weekly visits, which were the highlight of her week.

Millie’s family would like to thank the University of Tennessee Medical Center Hospice for the support and care she received during the past few weeks, and a special caretaker, Dorothy, who was an amazing help that showed true care and compassion beyond what would be expected. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you did for our mom.

Millicent will be deeply missed by her family. We are grateful for her life and know that she is now safely in heaven with her husband, Bob, and in the arms of our Savior Jesus.

In addition to many nieces, nephews and cousins, Millicent is survived by her two daughters and their spouses, Robin and Gary Pelletier of Bedford, New Hampshire, and Dawn and Maurice Briere of Seymour, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Daniel Briere, Christopher Briere, Nicole (Orrin) Carr, Samuel Pelletier and Rachel Pelletier; and her great-grandson, Ezekiel Carr, along with her beloved cat, Missy. A constant in Millie’s life was her friend, Barbara. Her friendship meant the world to Millie.

Memorial services will be on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at 3 p.m. at Arrowhead Church of God Prophecy, 3133 W. Governor John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Arrowhead Church of God Prophecy, 3133 W. Governor John Sevier Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920.