Ruth Covino Millar

Ruth Covino Millar (92) died peacefully at home of pneumonia, surrounded by family, on January 28th, 2025. Ruth was born on May 4th, 1932, to the large and loving family of Helen Carroll and Maurice Covino in Everett, Massachusetts. She graduated from Everett High School in 1950 and Simmons College in Boston with a degree in journalism, in 1954. While at Simmons, Ruth attended a dance at Harvard, where she met Michael Millar. Smitten with each other, they married in 1953 and began a very long life together. They moved from Boston to Chicago so Mike could attend graduate school and then moved their young family to Cedar Falls for Mike’s job at UNI in 1962. Ruth spent many years raising their expanded family of six kids, and at the age of 41 earned her master’s degree in education and library science from UNI. Ruth worked in the Waterloo Public School System as a librarian and media specialist. She started new libraries at Krieg and Van Eaton Elementaries, was the lead librarian at Castle Hill Elementary and ended her career at West High School. Ruth was the sweet center of the family. She spent years welcoming kids and friends onto the porch and into the house, where they could always find a popsicle, a bowl of Lucky Charms, a cup of coffee and a listening ear. She imbued in her children and grandchildren the love of reading and the importance of being a kind and caring listener. Her legacy of love extended beyond traditional family boundaries and included very special souls that she folded in along the way. She loved her lifelong friends. We were all her people. Ruth was a civic minded, lifelong Democrat and never missed a vote. She believed in and supported many organizations that reflected her values, and donated her time at the Book Nook in the Cedar Falls Public Library. Her most precious gift to the world was being kind and thoughtful even if she didn’t agree with you. The best way to honor her memory is to emulate her ability to treat others with compassion, respect and love. If you would like to make a donation, Ruth suggested adding to the Michael Millar Endowed Scholarship Fund at UNI, or your local food bank or library. She will be very deeply missed by all who loved her. Left to share stories and cherish her memory are: Her sisters, Joanne Gastonguay (Billerica, MA) Mary Covino (San Antonio, Texas) Her children, Paula Millar Coombs (Jim-Alberta, Canada) Ken Millar (Cedar Falls, Iowa) Tom Millar (Sue- New Port Richey, Fla) Sue Millar (Dennis Barnett- Cedar Rapids, Iowa) Eric Millar (Stacey-Washburn, Iowa) Ruth was adored by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Grandchildren: Nicole Lesko (Adam), Mathew Millar (Kayla), Mandi Risse (Austin), Mira Boyce (Josh), Marley Millar, Allison Baker (Chad), Stephanie Coombs (Nils), Lucas Barnett, and Gus Barnett Great Grandchildren: Cooper Lesko, Henry Risse, Margot and Jack Boyce, Clark and Aura Baker Ruth loved her many nieces and nephews and their families. She loved being kept up on all their news. They were a cherished part of her extended family. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Mike Millar, and daughter Lynn Millar, her parents Helen and Maurice Covino, her sisters Margaret Sullivan and Helen Lee, and her brothers Nicky and George Covino. Please join us as we celebrate Ruth’s life. Services will be held at Richardson’s Funeral Home, Cedar Falls, Iowa on Monday, February 3rd 10:30-11:30 am visitation with a 11:30am Service 1:00 – 3:00 pm Lunch at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Ruth Covino Millar

May 4, 1932 - January 28, 2025