Millie Pavichevich is one our newest residents here at The Pointe and though she has only been here a short time, she has quickly integrated herself and become very involved in the community.  Her outgoing and social personality has made her many friends and she can often be found in a group, talking and laughing.

Born to Serbian parents on Oct. 6th, 1921 in Nokomis, IL, Millie was one of 7 children, with 4 brothers and 2 sisters.  Her father was a coal miner, which Millie quickly pointed out, “That makes me a coal miner’s daughter! “ She laughingly finishes, “But I can’t sing”.  She does, however, love music and loves to dance.  She really enjoys country music and likes Loretta Lynn and Bob Willis. When it comes to movies, her favorite of all time is “Gone with the Wind”.  She says that after she saw it, Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh became her favorite movie stars.  Her rural upbringing not only influenced her taste in music and entertainment, but her love for cooking and food as well.  Millie enthusiastically says she loves all foods and loves to eat.  “I don’t how I managed it, but I’ve always been slender” she says laughing.    Her specialty dish was stuffed cabbage, which she made for her family often., though her personal favorite is lamb, especially barbecued lamb.  Later, she was able to enjoy the many different cuisines that Chicago had to offer.

Millie came to the Chicago area after her teen years and worked as a waitress for 50 years!!!  She enjoyed the work and the tips.  She married her husband Daniel, also Serbian, in a traditional Serbian ceremony in the Serbian Orthodox church they belonged to.  Daniel was an iron worker in South Chicago who Millie describes as a wonderful man and husband.   He was an avid golfer and taught Millie how to play.  She became very good herself, she states.  “We used to play together all the time.  I really enjoyed it”.  They would also go dancing quite often.   Millie and Daniel had 3 children, all of whom tragically passed while fairly young and she has been widowed for 30 years now.  “I had a beautiful, wonderful family and I think about them all every day.”

Through the tragedies, Millie has remained a positive and life loving person.  She is just as eager to hear your story as she is to tell hers.  Her genuine interest is contagious and she becomes an instant confidant and friend.  We are blessed to have her in our community and look forward to getting to know her even better.