Niki Sue Mills, 74, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, May 18, 2026.
Niki was born on July 15, 1951, in Hornell to Walter G. and Alice M. (Fisk) Kernan. She was a 1969 graduate of Greenwood Central School and pursued her Bachelor of Science in Lab Technology through Alfred State College and Syracuse University. On May 31, 1969, at Greenwood United Methodist Church, she married her high school sweetheart, Roger A. Mills. Together, they shared 57 years of marriage.
Niki led a busy and active life. While still in college, she began and spent most of her career at St. James Hospital in Hornell, where she was a lab technologist. She also spent some time working at Noyes Hospital in Dansville and Bethesda Hospital in North Hornell. She was also the Chief Financial Officer for Bar-B-R Farms, Inc. in Greenwood.
In addition to her husband, Niki is survived by her three sons, Chad (Erica) Mills of Buchanan, NY, Andrew (Zeneta) Mills of Merna, Wyo., and Nicolas (Erin) Mills of Greenwood; two sisters, Mary Bacon of Elkland, Pa., and Lillian Meeks of Greenwood; her mother-in-law, Barbara Ruth Mills of Greenwood; and seven beloved grandchildren: Anthony and Mariella Mills, children of Chad and Erica, and Laura, Amelia, Alison, Nolan and Brendan Mills, children of Nicolas and Erin. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by two sisters, Helen Schenck and Nancy Cornell; a brother, James Kernan; and her father-in-law, Arthur Mills.
Niki had an endless creative spirit, most beautifully expressed through her love of sewing and quilting. She was a member of several local quilting groups in Wellsville and Hornell, where she shared her talents, ideas and friendship with others who loved the craft. She enjoyed viewing artwork and attending quilt shows near and far, including shows at RIT in Rochester, in New York City and as far away as Paducah, Ky. She also looked forward to spring and fall quilting retreats in Canandaigua and had attended retreats in Strasburg, Pa., over the years. Her quilts were more than handmade pieces; they were labors of love, thoughtfully created and treasured by family and friends who were fortunate enough to receive them.
Niki also cherished the quiet solitude of life on the family farm. She enjoyed her vegetable and flower gardens, listening to the birds from her back porch and taking in the sights and sounds of the farm’s animal life. She had a special love for flowers, finding joy in their colors, beauty and fragrance throughout the seasons. The farm was more than a home to her; it was a place of peace, beauty and comfort, where she found joy in life’s simplest moments.
Above all, Niki loved her family deeply and took great pride in her three sons and in her seven grandchildren. She found joy in every milestone, from college acceptances and graduations to the small, everyday accomplishments, like learning to tie their shoes. No achievement was too big or too small for her to celebrate, and she cherished each of them for who they were and all they were becoming. She was truly blessed by the love and joy they brought to her life.
She also cherished the trips she and Roger took to visit their sons in Buchanan and Wyoming, as well as their annual journeys to Florida. While she loved the destinations, the travel itself was never her favorite part. Lake Wales became the heart of their yearly escape from the New York winters, a special place where they could soak up the sunshine, unwind, and spend meaningful time with family and friends across the Sunshine State.
Locally, a Friday fish fry, Wednesday wings or a weekend trip to the Keuka Cottage were special ways for Niki to enjoy time with her husband and family.
There will be no prior visitation. A private burial will take place in Krusan Cemetery in Greenwood, followed by a Celebration of Life at a date to be determined. Arrangements are under the direction of Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover.
Online condolences may be offered at www.baker-swan.com. © 2026 Baker-Swan Funeral Home.
