Mildred Ceres Keller Shinn

Mildred Ceres Keller Shinn, better known as Millie to her family and friends and Oma to her 8 grandchildren, passed away on September 10, 2023 after a brief illness.

Millie entered the world on January 1st, 1936, joining her German-born parents Anthony and Anna Keller. She took great pride in being first generation American and spoke often of her childhood memories living within those two cultures. Millie graduated from Butler High School in New Jersey and headed north to earn her BS in Nursing at University Of Vermont. It was there she met Jack (Moose/Opa) Shinn, who was to become her one and only. After marrying in 1958, Millie embarked on a nursing career in New Jersey, moving into full-time motherhood when her first child was born. After moving to Milford, Connecticut in 1966 Millie rejoined the workforce and became one of the first female managers of a Hardees location. The restaurant industry turned out to be not only a career but a passion when Subway co-Founder Fred DeLuca hired Millie to join his 133-store sandwich chain.

Millie quickly moved from Field Representative to Operations Manager to Director of Operations. As the company grew to over 40,000 locations so did Millie’s responsibilities, eventually leading to a position as Executive Vice President and member of the Company Board of Directors. During her 38 years at Subway, Millie mentored many of the women she worked with, promoting them to positions of responsibility within the Company and providing guidance and inspiration along the way. She did the same for the Franchisees and Business Development Agents she met as she traveled the globe, who regularly described her as a powerhouse and a force of nature. Some of the numerous actual comments made about Millie: “shining star, bedrock of the Company, extraordinary, a key part of Subway history and success, vivacious, elegant, inspirational leader, Subway icon, a great lady” and many more.

In her personal life, Millie’s greatest achievement was her family. Her favorite and most precious time was spent with her husband, kids and grandkids. Those family members include son Walter Jeffrey, his wife Cat and their sons Owen and Duncan; son Peter and his son Gregory and daughter Kaitlyn; and daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) Fertman, her husband Don and their son Dausen and daughter Caroline. Millie was predeceased by beloved husband Jack, sister Ann, and oldest daughter Nancy Shinn Corbett, also beloved and remembered, who is survived by her husband Dave and daughters Sophie and Olivia.

Messages and memories may be sent to the family. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to any charity – Millie chose to support local food banks.

Family and friends are invited to an open house celebration of Millie’s life Thursday, Sept 21st from 4-7 at the Riverview Bistro, 946 Ferry Blvd, in Stratford. Interment will take place in a private ceremony in Vermont.

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