Mildred Stevens Kopperl

Mildred Stevens Kopperl, 91, of North Sandwich, NH passed peacefully November 17, 2021.

She was born in Harriman TN, January 2, 1930, the eldest daughter of Claude H. and Belle Stevens (Davis).
Millie graduated from the University of Tennessee with an undergraduate degree in Home Economics, then went onto Radcliffe College.
After graduations and marriage, Millie and her husband, George, moved to Concord and then Canterbury, NH to start their family and enjoy the rural life a farm had to offer. Later, in retirement, they settled at October Farm in North Sandwich, NH.
Millie volunteered at the New Hampshire Historical Society when she first moved to Concord and continued to be active and interested in all things historical throughout her life. She enjoyed helping the Sandwich Historical Society as well as volunteering as a docent at Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough.
She passed on her curiosity and love of horses to her children and granddaughters. Millie was involved with the United States Pony Clubs as one of the founders and District Commissioner (DC) of Echo Hollow Pony Club in Canterbury, NH from 1972-1975. She was Regional Supervisor (RS) for the Western New England Region from 1976 to 1987, Vice RS 1975 and 1998, and RS for the White Mountain Region in 1991. She served two terms on the Board of Governors, in 1977-1979 and 1984-1986. She served on the Nominating Committee in 1980 and the Advisory Committee 1988-1990. She also served on the Combined Training Committee. Millie received the Founders Award in 1998, was inducted into the Hall of Legends in 2004, and was a Festival Legend in 2011.
Millie loved her gardens. She loved cultivating an English-style garden in each of her homes over the years. She would often ‘liberate’ many native plants so they could grace her garden with their presence.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, George and her son Meredith. She is survived by her sister, Nancy Oran of Harriman TN, her daughter, Jane Kopperl of Arvada CO, and her granddaughters, Elizabeth Paliga of North Sandwich NH and Natalie Paliga of Honolulu, HI.
In Millie-fashion, a garden party to celebrate her is tentatively planned for late Spring 2022. If you wish to honor Millie’s memory in a way, please consider a donation to the Sandwich Historical Society, Kirkwood Gardens (Squam Lake Natural Science Center), or the United States Pony Clubs.