Mildred Duarte Obituary

Mildred Elizabeth (Silva) Duarte passed away peacefully after a long bout with heart failure and Alzheimer's. She had been living at the Robin's Nest, an assisted living and hospice residence in Colorado Springs. Millie, as she was known to her family and friends, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on October 28, 1923, to Georgina and Ernest Silva. As a child she loved to play baseball and spend time at the beach. She graduated from St. Andrews Priory in Hawaii, an Episcopal school for girls, and then worked for the Army while she attended Cannon School of Business. She married Anthony Duarte (Lt. Col.), a veteran of three wars, who pre-deceased her in 1978. They had eight children; Lani Robbins, Tony, Bernhardt, Curtis (Gayle), Dana, Scott (Susan), Stephanie Whalen, and Gary. After many years as a military wife, traveling and living in the US, Germany and Central America, Millie returned to Honolulu. She worked as the Head Cashier at the Kaneohe Marine Corps Exchange for many years, then returned to Colorado Springs in 1992. In addition to her children, she had thirteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She loved attending their sports events and also loved playing golf. Millie was a devout Catholic, had many great qualities and loved the simplicity of life. She will be greatly missed for her friendly ways and selfless giving to those she loved. Millie is also survived by her sister Vivian Spencer, half-brother Frank Kahoohanohano Jr., half-sister Donna Soares (Butch) and many nieces and nephews. Her brothers Robert and Ernest Silva predeceased her. A mass will be said for her at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Colorado Springs, on Monday, February 27 at 10:30 a.m. An additional memorial service will take place in Honolulu where her remains will be placed next to her husband in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Friends may contribute to the American Heart Association or to the Alzheimer's Association.