Millie Josephine Hudson

Millie “Jo” Josephine Hudson 72, passed away on June 24, 2024 in her hometown of Phoenix, Arizona not far from where she was born and raised. She lived a beautiful and full life and will be missed by family and friends, leaving a lasting impression on all of us.

Millie was born on April 28, 1952 to Dwight G. Hudson and Amelia “Millie” Hudson in Phoenix, Arizona. A proud Phoenix native, Millie attended St. Theresa for grade school, and graduated from Gerard High School in 1970. She then went on to study at the University of Arizona, before heading to Chicago to study dental hygiene at Northwestern, following in her father’s footsteps with a career of dentistry in mind.

After returning to Phoenix and years of working as a dental hygienist, Millie took the brave step of pursuing a Master’s Degree in Counseling, graduating from Arizona State University in 1996. She went on to work for various agencies in the Phoenix area, and eventually opened her own practice. With this career change, she was able to touch many lives and was extremely proud of the work she had accomplished.

As an Arizona native, she loved being on her family’s ranch enjoying horseback riding, fishing, and planting cactus in the front yard of her childhood home. As an adult she spent time cooling off at the beach in California when she could, San Diego being a second home to her that she always cherished.

In 1971, Millie met her former husband David Hancock in Tucson at the UofA, they went on to have two daughters. Millie is survived by her girls Jessica Loren Bushard (Joe) and Amanda “Mandy” Fiorelli Hancock (Jared Sanders). She treasured her role as a mother and loved being a grandmother to Mason, Caroline, and Stuart Bushard. As their “Nonna” she would spend time with them at the beach, teaching her grandkids how to jump the waves and dig for sand crabs. Millie loved her family and would make a point to tell them that as often as possible, sometimes with a hug or a card but usually with a back scratch.

Millie was predeceased by parents Dwight G. Hudson and Amelia Fiorelli Hudson. In addition to her daughters and grandchildren, she is also survived by her brother John Hudson (Cecelia), nieces Mariana Clarys and Serena Baker, and half sister Terry McGrath.

Services will be held at The Casa on Friday, June 28th at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of the Valley Dementia and Education Center.