Mina Kay Milligan

MINA KAY (FERRIS) MILLIGANApril 19, 1948 ˜ January 29, 2023 Mina Kay (Ferris) Milligan was born in Portland, OR, on April 19, 1948, to Donald and Genevieve "Gene" Ferris. She had a half-sister Betty that was 20 years older who had a family of her own by the time she was born. She was raised by two amazing parents who always believed in her and stressed the value of a good education.In 1966, she graduated from Lincoln High School and headed off to Oregon State University. While there she joined the Kappa Delta sorority. Upon graduation in 1970, she taught 2nd and 4th grades on the Oregon Coast in the Neah-Kah-Nie School District for three years. In 1973, she married Ronald Milligan and moved to Vancouver, WA. She was a substitute teacher for a short time but eventually got a job selling industrial chemicals in Portland at Van Waters and Rogers. Keep in mind that was just the beginning of women's appearance in this area of work. She never did make a man's wage but put in long hours just to prove she could do it. She was told that they did not think they were ready for a woman yet, but because she had a college education, they let her give it a try. She confirmed that a woman could do a man's job and be very effective.In 1977 they welcomed the first of 2 children, Elise Ferris, followed by Seth Ronald in 1979. While raising her children she ran an in-home daycare. She sat on the board of her children's Montessori School for 5 years where she helped develop the Strawberry Festival that was held in Hazel Dell for many years. She taught aerobics around Vancouver and eventually became a sports coordinator. She sat on the Hough Neighborhood Association board for 11 years as the secretary. She was also part of the PTSA at Hough Elementary for many years and eventually went on to become President for 3 years. It was during that time she went back to school to get her master's degree in teaching. After 11 years of raising her children, she decided to return to teaching full-time.Hough was not only the neighborhood she lived in, but the community she wanted to be ingrained in. She hand-delivered her resume to Hough Elementary because she was determined to work there! After several days of not hearing back she left a message, saying "obviously you haven't seen my resume, or you would have hired me already." Shortly thereafter she was hired on full-time to teach 5th grade at Hough Elementary. To say she was an amazing teacher is an understatement-she was one in a million!The 25 years she taught at Hough were filled with many memorable adventures. She raised rats, guinea pigs and even a bunny in her class. Her class won a model bridge building contest and flew to San Francisco for a day. Working with the PUD, the class raised Coho Salmon every year and released fingerlings into Salmon Creek. Mina was on the developing committee and the head teacher with the principal while the school was remodeled. Her classroom tested the water at Burnt Bridge Creek many times and gave it a D plus. They went bowling, manually keeping score to work on their math skills. She destroyed the school pottery kiln one year while making clay leaves with her classroom, oops! Not to worry-they purchased a new one. Her classrooms did amazing black light shows for the student body each year. They had a garden for two years on the corner of 24th and Main. She'd take the kids on many walking trips around the neighborhood and city to learn the local history. They learned to ride public transportation. On Hough's fiftieth anniversary, she asked a local artist to help the children put together a mural which is displayed today in the main staircase. Her class developed a recipe for bread, had a bakery make it, made labels, and sold it to raise money for the Hough pool. She was on the Hough Foundation Board at its inception where they started the volunteer center, built houses and a swimming pool. She always had awesome promotion ceremonies for the fifth grade at various locations. For a few years she partnered with the Quay and the kids would walk down for lunch. During that time, she taught her students proper etiquette for eating at fancy restaurants. She and another teacher ran Hough at Night two times a week for two years where she was Professor Science every Thursday. She helped start Father Christmas at Hough. She taught children about personal power and made sure every child that walked through her doors knew they were loved and cared for. She would often be found taking her "kids" in small groups, on her own dime, to various events: releasing salmon, dinners, plays, concerts, the circus, baking cookies, Columbia Gorge Model Railroad show, fish hatchery, ice cream, Harlem Globetrotters game, etc. However, her biggest accomplishment was the Patty Hough Parade that she started in 1991. Her goal was to bring the school and the neighborhood together, to create a sense of community and pride. To say she was successful is an understatement - to this day the parade still runs every St. Patrick's Day!She didn't just stop there; over the years she had done extensive research on her neighborhood and community and wanted to teach others. She developed a historical walking tour for the neighborhood and toured groups. She was on the Fort Vancouver Days board for seven years and oversaw the "'Chili cook-off" judges and historical bus tour. She taught Social Studies at City University. She did ghost tours at the Vancouver Barracks. Together, with a group of neighborhood friends they helped Hough become a designated historical neighborhood. She also assisted in collecting information and files on each house in the neighborhood - that work can be found at the Historical Museum. She volunteered at the Covington House and Washington State School Retirees Association as a secretary. She resided in the Hough Neighborhood on 24th Street for 47 years.In her later years, Mina found her greatest joy in spending time with those she loved - Her Doxie Stella, friends, community, children and her 4 young grandchildren. She had moved to Vancouver Pointe and loved being involved with everything: drama club, book club, writing club, church, movie Wednesdays (where she'd get to have a small bourbon and 7 Up - her guilty pleasure), Wii bowling club, art classes and so much more. The family is so grateful she enjoyed her last years to the fullest!She passed peacefully surrounded by her children on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023. She is survived by her children: Elise (Milligan) Mattson (Dave) and Seth Milligan (Stacey). Grandchildren: Oliver Mattson, Ruby Mattson, Taylor Milligan and Tanner Milligan.The family will have an open house celebration of life to honor her and all are welcome. It will be held at Cellar 55, 1812 Washington St, Vancouver, WA 98660, Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Elise elise.m@ttson.net, 425.890.8918.In lieu of flowers and in honor of Mina's memory, please consider a donation to the Hough Foundation https://houghfoundation.harnessapp.com/wv2/donate The Hough Foundation funds inclusive extra-curricular programming for Hough Elementary students and emergency support of Hough Elementary families.

Mina Kay Milligan

April 19, 1948 - January 29, 2023