Ferne Franceen Millard, 71, of Petaluma, died peacefully on Saturday, March 1.

She was born in San Francisco to the late Francis and Lucille Van Natter. She attended middle school in Knights Ferry from 1955-1957. She lived with Eddie and Edith Vautier, along with her cousin Roy Vautier.

She worked for the telephone company in San Francisco until she married Terry Millard in April of 1964. In 1969, they moved to Petaluma.

Mrs. Millard lovingly raised her three children, Patrick, Jerry and Sean, and volunteered in numerous capacities over the years with Cub Scouts, Petaluma Youth Soccer League, Little League Baseball, Casa Grande High School Music Boosters, and many more.

In 1984, she returned to work for World Savings and Loan where she worked for more than 20 years as an Assistant Branch Manager. She worked in Petaluma, Santa Rosa, San Francisco and Corte Madera.

She was an active member of Penngrove Community Church and sponsored care for children in Africa. She took cruises to Greece and through the Panama Canal where she made a dream of hers come true: swimming with dolphins. Her favorite vacation place was Hawaii.

She is survived by her children, Patrick (Anna) Millard of Brentwood, Gerald Millard of Hendersonville, Tenn., Sean (Marie) Millard of Rohnert Park; and grandchildren, Jacob, Steve and Maggie.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to one of the following: Penngrove Community Church Care of the Deacons Fund; Hospice of Petaluma; Ovarian Cancer National Alliance; or the American Cancer Society.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 22 at Penngrove Community Church. A reception will immediately follow.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

March 19, 2014