Here is the link to the full obituary for Mildred in the Palm Beach Post that was posted on May 19th, 2019:
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/palmbeachpost/obituary.aspx?n=mildred-ferrin&pid=192923397




Mimi was one of the most unique people I've ever known. She will always be one of my favorite people. She has influenced my Outlook and sensibilities profoundly. Mildred Ferrin was my Grandmother and I was her last grandchild.  I was born very shortly after the death of her husband of over 40 years, my paternal grandfather. My experiences with Mimi all occurred in the last 28 years of her life, so its fair to suggest that I have a somewhat limited perspective on the scope of experience that many other people shared with her.  Despite this I always felt that we shared a very deep and whimsical connection. Separated by decades and generations and states and cultures, I still feel an affection for her that I don't always share with my own peers. I grew up traveling to her house on Love Crescent Drive every year, in the ludicrously enchanted South Florida. I'll always think fondly of coming up the walk to her door and giving her a hug as she pretended to not know who I was, as my appearance subtlety changed through the passing years. Our conversations were surrealist paintings punctuated by her home spun musings and my laughter. She loved to tell stories about people and places come and gone and had an archival knowledge of the many faces she'd met over the years. She loved to fry fish and sing Hank Williams songs. And probably most significantly, she taught me to greet the reality of my surroundings with a hearty sense of humor. Ive always been amazed at the life she lived, and her's was truly an amazing one. She overcame much and contributed more. She was truly an original, the type of character that posterity has a a hard time placing in a conventional silloette. I often find myself trying to describe her to other people and my words always fall short of the experience of really knowing and loving her. You can't always say that about everyone you know. I don't know where she is now but I'm certain it's richer for having her.

I honestly don't know how to begin.  My grandmother, like all Mason's, was both a wonderful and extremely difficult person.  I remember walking around the block of her house in Coral Gables and sitting on the neighbors orange turtle, walking on the white wall and trying to sneak past her the Weidimyers house before Ida would bellow "MIIIILLLDDREED!"  I remember the "Coral Crawl" to escape her neighbor that should show up unannounced, and would do nothing but complain.  The days spent in the Florida room debating what to do for the day, and when the clock struct 12, Mimi standing up and declaring "the day is over, forget it!" and walking out of the room.  Or the times the family would be at Aunt Dixie's house, talking in the living room and Mimi would come into the room, make an extremely controversial statement, wait for the room's sound levels to rise as people yelled over each other to debate the issue, and slip out the back.  

She was an instigator, a cook, a comedian, and a great friend.  I'm lucky to have seen her last, after my dad passed away in late December, at her best, even though it was a horrible time.  I'm glad my memory of her was her laughing, and smiling and making jokes.  She was never boring, never "typical", never anything but Mimi.  I'll miss her and it will be quite odd to visit Florida without seeing her.   

Mimi was my grandmother, but we called her 'Mimi' because when her first grandchild was born she thought she was too young to be called "grandma." So, Mimi she became and was ever since. I've known her my entire life, 32 and a half years, and even though she lived far away from me I always felt close to her. Some of my earliest memories are of her house in Coral Gables and her many cats (a mutual love of felines is something we've always shared). Growing up, breaks from school were often spent going to visit her in West Palm Beach. I remember swimming in her pool, going for walks around her neighborhood and meeting all her neighbors (she knew everyone), going to the beach, and visiting in the living room or her tiny kitchen. She would call me "pussy cat," and sing me the "I Feel Pretty" song from West Side Story. She was a fantastic cook, and loved chocolate and peanut butter. She had more stories in her than anyone I've ever met, and it was impossible not to be entertained when she was around. She had the best laugh, sort of a gleeful cackle, and was good at making other people laugh too with her sharp and slightly goofy sense of humor. She was an impeccable dresser and always looked so put-together. Even her stubbornness and negativity ("it's noon, the day's over!") was something we all joked about and now remember fondly. As I've gotten older I've only learned more about her life and what a strong woman she was. I admire her tenacity and the way she always stuck to (and fought for) her beliefs. She loved her friends and her animals and her family so very much, and we will continue to love her. I'll miss you, Mimi. 

aunt mildred was always kind. i will miss her. i will see her again.

As the oldest of Mimi's grandchildren, I know I speak for all my cousins when I say how much Mimi will be missed! We grew up surrounded by family, political 'discussions,' homemade fried chicken and so much love!! Our lives have moved in so many different directions, but one thing we can all agree on is how much we loved Mimi and knew she adored us! How funny her stories could be and her little ways of doing things that only we probably noticed...measuring serving sizes with a pinky or that little shoulder shrug that said, 'meh.' 
I was blessed to be able to share the last several years being close to Mimi and was inspired by her strength, determination (ok, stubbornness) and independence! She carried herself with pride and always put her best foot forward. I remember growing up with her advice that you always feel better with a little lipstick! 
Mimi made an indelible impression on everyone she came in contact with although her unassuming way had her always questioning 'WHY?' If you knew her, you know exactly why! She was loved dearly and will be missed deeply! 

I knew Mimi for 35 years.   She was a true original and a born storyteller.   She was also a fantastic cook, a great wife, mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law.  
  She was also very strong.   She suffered a lot of loss in her life, beginning at a young age with the sudden death of her younger brother.   The loss of her first husband seemed like a blow she might not recover from, yet she found a way to keep going and make a new life for herself.   I remember marveling at that.  She loved butterflies and thought she might have been one in a previous life, or that she might become one in a future life.  I think of her when I see a butterfly.   I will miss you so much, Mimi.

I have heard stories about Aunt Mildred all my life. My mother, Peggy (her sister) loved her big sister! Mother is full of tales of growing up with her big sister and brothers. She calls her sister, "Diddy".  Diddy is the main character in these stories and of course, mother's heroine. I can relate the pictures  posted here to a few of these stories. 
I always looked forward to seeing Aunt Mildred . She was larger than life and had such a warm, friendly outgoing personality. She brought the playful side out in mother.  My sister and I enjoyed seeing them together. 
I know her family will miss her and I am so sad for their pain.  The world has lost a beautiful soul. 

Aunt Mildred was one of a kind with such a nice, yet upfront personality.  I loved her sense of humor. It is with much sadness that she has passed.  Comfort and peace to all her family and friends.
Brenda

OBITUARY

Mildred Ferrin

August 25, 1927 – May 9, 2019

Royal Palm Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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