Jill D. Millett

MANSFIELD -- Jill "Kelly" (Ponsonby) Millett, 51, loving wife and mother, passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2013. Kelly was born in Chicago on February 26, 1962.    She grew up in suburban Chicago and suburban Detroit, graduated from Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills, MI, and attended Marquette University and the University of Florida.  She married Francis N. “Ty" Millett. They moved to St. Louis MO, where she worked as a Realtor, and then to Orlando FL.  As a Realtor in Orlando she volunteered for many committees and leadership roles over the years.  She shared her love of reading, exchanging books with many friends and starting a book club where the discussion of a wide variety of books deepened her friendships and camaraderie.  Kelly loved Sunday mornings in a boat on Lake Conway and most of all, she loved the beach.  She enjoyed many crafts and then discovered the joy of quilting.  After moving to Texas she became friends with quilter Pam Pape. In May 2009 Kelly and Pam realized their dream of owning a quilt shop when they opened Magnolia Quiltworks in Pantego, Texas. Magnolia became a community where quilters could imagine, create, learn, laugh and share. Kelly and Pam expressed their creative spirit and business acumen there, and hugs and encouragement flowed freely. In addition, Kelly was a member of the Quilters Guild of Arlington and the Piecemakers quilting group. Her friends in Piecemakers were blessed by Kelly's energy, wisdom, caring heart and laughter, and a retreat with Kelly present was certain to be fun. Kelly's quilted expressions of love for family and friends were a joy for her to create, and have made memories to warm them for years to come. In addition to quilting and reading, Kelly enjoyed travel, raising orchids and roses, and mentoring young people. Survivors:  Kelly is survived by husband Ty Millett, daughter Jacquelene Millett, parents Jacquelene and husband Pete Swanney of Mansfield TX and Thomas O. Ponsonby and wife Catherine Stadelman of Charlotte NC, stepsister Lorraine Ponsonby of Springfield MO, stepbrother Steven Ponsonby of Charlotte NC, chosen family Barbara Rylands, extended family, and many, many friends. Memorial mass:  Officiated by Father Daniel Kelley at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Arlington TX on Saturday, March 9 at 11:00 AM.  Reception to follow. Memorials:  In lieu of flowers, friends are requested to make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or Susan G Komen for the Cure in Kelly’s name. Matthew 5:4  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.