Mildred Elsie “Millie” was born in Seattle, Wash. on March 3, 1927, to Arthur and Elsie Warner. She went home to Heaven on April 10, 2013, surrounded by family. Millie graduated from Queen Anne High School in Seattle and worked for the Navy at Pier 91 during World War II.  She attended Holy Names College in Spokane for one year and worked in a bank before marrying William V. “Bill” Finney in 1948. Early in their marriage, Bill and Millie moved their young, growing family back to Bill’s hometown of Coeur d’Alene. Millie was a homemaker and stay-at-home mom to their ten children. Their children and spouses are: Bill and Kay Finney, Portland; Jack and Darla Finney, Coeur d’Alene; Joan Lack, Spokane; Paul and Sue Finney, Coeur d’Alene; Fred and Diane Finney, Coeur d’Alene; Jane and Randy Holte, Coeur d’Alene; Dave and Marilee Finney, Coeur d’Alene; Janet and David Weingart Jr., Cataldo; Gary and Mary Jo Finney, Coeur d’Alene; and Sally and Doug Johnson, Coeur d’Alene.

Millie was a devoted and supportive Mom and “Granny” to her large family. She loved people and she loved the Bible, and those passions came together as she dedicated herself to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with almost everyone she met—she wanted people to know about the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  She was excited to share it with others, just as it had been shared with her.  Many Coeur d’Alene residents remember her for distributing mini Bibles and Christian tracts wherever she went. She believed God when He said, “He (she) who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30.

Millie was energetic, social, creative, fun, and caring. She took an interest in people, making them feel special and valued. Millie also loved music. She sang, wrote songs and poems, and loved to dance with her grandkids. She played the accordion for 70-plus years, along with the piano, guitar and several other instruments. She taught the accordion to several of her granddaughters and enjoyed listening to them play, as well as the other musicians in the family. Millie was blessed to spend summers at the family cabin on Lake Coeur d’Alene — enjoying the beauty of God’s creation around her. Many of Millie’s children and grandchildren remained in close proximity and it was her joy to share her life with them, leaving a lasting legacy of valuing family and God’s Word. She was dearly loved.

Millie was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Elsie; brother Tom Warner; and her infant daughter, Shirley Ann Finney, in 1964. She is survived by her husband, Bill, at home, ten children and their spouses, 33 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Millie’s life will be held at Coeur d’Alene Bible Church on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 11 a.m. A reception will follow the service and all are welcome. The church is located at 5350 N. 4th Street in Coeur d’Alene.