Teresa Mills

Teresa "Tess" Mills, age 69, of Grove City, OH passed away on December 2, 2023. Tess was born on July 17, 1954 to the late Robert "Bob" and Beulah "Sue" Bumgardner in Nelsonville, OH.


Tess was married to her loving husband, Lawrence "Larry" Mills for 34 years, until his death in December 2022. Together, they had a beautiful daughter, who was the light of their lives.


Tess will be deeply missed by her daughter, Myree Mills; sister, Nancy Sonick; brother, Robert "Bobby" (Rosanna) Bumgardner; stepson, Michael (Ursula) Mills; grandchildren, Alaina (James) Adams and Caymen Mills; as well as her nieces and nephews. Tess was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and other stepson, Jeffrey Mills.


Tess was environmentalist/activist extraordinaire and carried titles of Ohio-based At-Large Community Organizer and Smalls Grants Manager for the Center for Health, Environment and Justice. She also founded the Buckeye Environmental Network (BEN) and served as Executive Director for many years. She was often called on as an expert in the field and spoke at the state and federal levels. During her lifetime, she assisted numerous community groups to fight environmental health hazards such as toxic waste sites, incinerators, water pollution and hydrofracking. Her crowning achievement was leading a successful campaign to shut down the Columbus, Ohio garbage incinerator, which was later identified as the largest emitter of dioxin in the country.


In addition to focusing on her environmental passion, Tess also found time to become a Reiki Master, which uses an energy healing technique. She found much peace and fulfillment by practicing Reiki and loved educating others about it. It was an integral part of her life and carried her through difficult times.


Friends may call at Newcomer Funeral Home, SW Chapel, 3393 Broadway, Grove City, OH on Friday, December 15, 2023 from 12pm until the time of service at 1pm. The service will be led by Linda Haley and Michael Mills. Burial will be held immediately after the service at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 5600 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43213.

Tess' services will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.

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