Good Teacher, Good Example

Early in the afternoon during the winter months, Jean Mills routinely loads her snow skis into her Subaru and makes the short drive from her home in Anaconda up to Discovery Ski Resort for a few good runs before dark. What is impressive is that Jean is 87 years old! Since her husband Jim passed away ten years ago, Jean has had more than a few friends who have kindly suggested that she ought not be skiing anymore. She appreciates their concern and does take extra precautions, but she is still getting her money's worth out of her season ticket.

Jean strapped on her first pair of skis in 1937 when she was a sophomore at Anaconda High School. Thus began a love affair that has lasted more than 70 years. It was a passion that she shared with her husband, culminating in their annual trip to Sun Valley, Idaho. In looking through her black and white pictures from those trips, Jean still remembers the names of the dozens of friends who went along with them, some of whom she referred to as "kids." Those "kids" are now in their 70s, and they drop in occasionally to join Jean for an afternoon of skiing.

As a ski instructor, Jean combined her love for skiing with her love for children. For forty years, seven days a week during the season, Jean taught both adults and children, but she especially enjoyed the busload of students who would come from all over Montana to Discovery.

"I taught so many kids to ski, and they remember me well into adulthood, just like their first grade school teacher."

A lifelong supporter of Intermountain, Jean traces her connection to the early 1930s when she spent a summer in Helena with her father who was on a work assignment. "I visited the campus that summer, and the work Intermountain does for children has been important to me ever since." Jean was also helpful in connecting other to Intermountain, in part through her membership with the First United Methodist Church in Anaconda, where she has been a member for more than 70 years.

Jean recently took steps to provide for Intermountain in perpetuity through a charitable gift annuity. "I'm pleased with the gift annuity because it not only provides me with dependable income, but also attractive tax benefits," explains Jean.

As a ski instructor, Sunday school teacher, and supporter of Intermountain, Jean Mills has invested generously in the growth and development of children. She reflects that much has changed in our culture. As an example, Jean says that the ski equipment available today makes it much easier for kids to learn to ski. "But the need for good teachers and good examples for our children, that will never go away."