Mildred M. Daniels, educator, ardent supporter of African Meeting House, dies at 95
OBITUARY
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
Mildred Daniels has been described as the spiritual grandmother behind the restoration of the island's African Meeting House, an educated, open-hearted woman and a dedicated member of her church. Mrs. Daniels, who was also a very private person, died at Our Island Home on Monday, Jan. 28, at the age of 95.

ROB BENCHLEY file Mildred Daniels, 1996.

Born in Memphis, Tenn., Mrs. Daniels was raised in New York City. Education was very important to her, said her long-time friend Peter Greenhalgh. After Mrs. Daniels graduated from Hunter College she became an elementary school teacher and then a principal in the New York City system. She later was appointed as Superintendent of Schools in Queens, N.Y. Her friend Curtis Barnes said she was also a guest lecturer on the faculty of Columbia University.

Greenhalgh said when he asked her what brought her to Nantucket, Mrs. Daniels told him she had visited the island for one day as a young woman and knew that eventually she would return here to live. Mrs. Daniels, an avid walker, retired to Nantucket in 1967 and had a house near the beginning of the Milestone Road until she became a resident of The Homestead and later Our Island Home.

During her years on the island Mrs. Daniels made many friends and immersed herself in the historic project to restore and preserve Nantucket's African Meeting House, becoming a key member of its restoration committee. She was also a faithful member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where she was one of its first lay ministers in the 1970s, and served as a chalice bearer, lector and home visitor. She occupied the same pew nearly every Sunday until two weeks before her death. Displaying her unique mixture of gentleness and determination, she ensured that no one ever sat in front of her because she wanted a clear view of the minister.

"As long as I knew her, there are so many things I don't know because she was so private. She was very private, very modest but very proud. She had great dignity and determination. She was a dear friend," said Greenhalgh. "Talking with her about religion was okay but politics was not. She was very devoted to St. Paul's Church. She took immense pleasure in the parish, and she had a beautiful singing voice. She always wore a hat to church - she was always dressed in her Sunday best. Twenty years ago she traveled with the bishop to Russia on behalf of St. Paul's. She loved adventure - she had been around the world three times."

Frances Karttunen, who also remarked on what a private person Mrs. Daniels was, called her smile "a blessing," and noted how even in her later years she stayed as active and involved outside of her senior citizen residences as possible.

"What I know about her is her energy and the dedication she put into the restora- -tion of the African Meeting House," said Karttunen. "And as far as I know, she never made anybody feel bad."

Victoria Harvey was assistant director at The Homestead when Mrs. Daniels lived there, but knew her before that period.

"For many years she came to my house for Christmas dinners so I heard a lot about her travels when she was younger," said Harvey. "It was an honor to know Mildred. She had such a brilliant mind and was a world traveler. She achieved so much in her life. She was a dear and a really inspiring person to know. All I can say is that she was a really remarkable woman."

Mrs. Daniels was predeceased by her husband, Charles Chaplin, and a son, Frederick. She is survived by a daughter, Courtney Chaplin, and a sister, Dorothy, both of Florida.

A graveside service in Prospect Hill Cemetery was held for Mrs. Daniels on Saturday, Feb. 2. Remembrances of her were offered during the regular service at St. Paul's Church on Sunday, Feb. 3. Donations in her memory may be made to the St. Paul's Church Memorial Fund or to

Our Island Home. I