Millie B. Roy

March 18, 1927 - February 19, 2020

Stewartstown – After a full life of 92 years, Millie Roy died with family by her side on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Born on March 18, 1927, to the late Charles and Josephine (Lowman) Barbay, she grew up as an active participant on the family dairy farm where she acquired a lifelong strong work ethic. On the farm she developed a love for horses and fondly remembered her first horse, Jo Jo. She also learned to play the piano, a skill she maintained throughout her life. After graduating from high school in 1944, she trained to become a Registered Nurse at St Vincent’s Hospital in New York City. In this profession she became the head nurse in an operating room. She married a high school classmate, Hamp Roy, on October 12, 1950. They had a successful farming enterprise growing sweet corn and she spent her share of time driving John Deere tractors. In 1959 Millie and Hamp purchased Sportsman’s Lodge at Diamond Pond and significantly enhanced the business over their 20 years of ownership. In the early years, the lodge was a 3-season operation and the Roys moved to Colebrook for 3 months each winter. But Millie’s desire to be at Diamond Pond as much as possible got them involved in a new activity for the North Country – snowmobiling. The first trip to Diamond Pond via snowmobile was made by the Roys in 1959 and they accommodated their first snowmobiling customers in 1962. In 1967 they got a bill through the NH legislature to provide for plowing Diamond Pond Road the rest of the winter and this allowed for a major expansion of the business. They also became very active in the Colebrook Ski Bees – they were charter members and held various offices over the years. Millie was an occasional rider with the famous Hardy Girls. The other three seasons at the Lodge were also busy with fishing guests, family vacationers, and hunters. Thanks to Millie’s hard work and saving of extra income, they were able to buy a water ski boat. Countless families learned to water ski at the Lodge as a result and Millie became an accomplished skier. One of the trademarks of a stay at Sportsman’s Lodge was Millie’s great cooking, especially her home-made bread. Their time at Sportsman’s Lodge was demanding and challenging but there were many rewards, the best reward being the fantastic people who came to stay. After selling the Lodge they built a home at Diamond Pond and Millie was the chief architect. As pastimes she enjoyed creating and maintaining her flower gardens, swimming, and cross country skiing. Throughout her adult life, Millie was an avid knitter. Untold numbers of sweaters, mittens, and Christmas stockings were made for multiple generations in numerous families. She operated Millie’s Yarn Shop at her home for many years. She also worked at the Golf Shop at the Balsams. She served on the boards of directors for Home Health and UCVH. She was the primary force in the family wreath business and she often helped Hamp plow snow. She lived at Diamond Pond for approximately 60 years. Millie was predeceased by Hamp, her husband of 62 years, in 2012. She is survived by her brother Charles “Bud” Barbay II of Waterloo, NY, by her son, E. H. Roy, and by her daughter, Cindy Roy, both of Diamond Pond. She is also survived by a wonderful group of nieces, nephews, and cousins. A very special thank you goes out to the many caregivers Millie has had since her health began to decline. Calling Hours will be held from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, and will be immediately followed by a memorial service at the same location. Interment will be at a later date. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Millie may be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family online by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com.