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Mildred Whitcomb of Babylon, avid sportswoman, at 99
Mildred Whitcomb, of Babylon and of Our Lady of Consolation, died April 16, 2002 after a short illness at the age of 99. Mrs. Whit-comb’s family had been summer residents of Babylon since the 19th century. She spent her summers at the family home "The Evalon" which formerly stood on Montauk Highway and Bergen Avenue across from the old Bulk’s Nursery. Disposing of the family home in Brooklyn in the 1920s, they moved permanently to the area. Mrs. Whitcomb’s mother, the late Ida Burgess, an early venture capitalist, resided in "The Evalon" while Mrs. Whitcomb, together with her late husband Walter A. George, a founder of the West Babylon School District and prominent Republican Leader built their home on the site of an 18th century barn at the back of the family property on Muncie Road in 1932. Mrs. Whitcomb, widely known as Millie, and among her family as Gog, often regaled the family with her recollections of vaudeville shows, trips to Ebbet’s Field with her father, trips to Atlantic City and Daytona Beach when they still raced on the beach. She also recalled overnight carriage rides out from Brooklyn and being met at Babylon Station by the family coachman and coach. Before closing the Brooklyn house permanently, the Burgess family would regularly ship the fresh dairy products of "The Evalon" into Brooklyn for their kitchen. During World War I, Mrs. Whitcomb was a Red Cross volunteer in Brooklyn, rolling bandages and greeting troop ships. Locally, she was an avid gardener and won many awards for her gardens and her roses. She was a pioneer in the area seeking humane treatment for the surplus animal population that ballooned in the 1940s. An avid sportswoman, she rode early motorcycles and more traditional horses. She was a successful gymnast at the Adelphi Academy, a tennis player and golfer. She played golf regularly well into her 80s, both on Long Island and at her winter home of Daytona Beach. An expert in 19th century pressed glass and antiques, Mrs. Whitcomb ran the Carriage House antique shop on Montauk Highway next to her family home which had been leased as a hotel. She closed the shop after "The Evalon" burned down in a fire in the 1960s. Mrs. Whitcomb was a lover of the Great South Bay and with her husband Walter George, had been a member of the Babylon Yacht Club where her daughter and granddaughter learned to sail. She and her late second husband, G. Rowe Whitcomb, sailed their Owen’s Cruiser "Happy Ours" from Babylon to Halifax River Yacht Club in Daytona annually. Widowed a second time in 1971, Mrs. Whitcomb lived full time in Daytona until deciding to return home in 1983 to spend time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Reviving her social circle in the area, she spent many happy hours back on the golf course and at Bridge with her friends of 60 years or more. Mrs. Whitcomb had resided at Our Lady of Consolation for the past five years where she was known for her constant regime of walking throughout the House and grounds. She ascribed her long life to her penchant for exercise, positive attitude and deeply held spiritual beliefs. She was noted for her personal vivacity and sparkle up until her final illness. She is survived by her daughter, Millicent "Penny" Fifer and son-in-law Calvin Fifer of West Babylon; granddaughter Gail Fifer Sullivan and her husband, Richard of Babylon; grandson, Walter Fifer and his wife MaryBeth of Boulder, Colorado and six great grandchildren, Richard (Jay), Calvin and William Sullivan of Babylon and Jason, Alexandra and Zachary Fifer of Boulder, Colorado. The celebration of her life was held May 1, 2002 among her family and friends at Christ Episcopal Church, Babylon Village where she has been a member for over 75 years. The funeral was under the direction of the Claude-Spencer Funeral Home, 448 West Main St., Babylon.
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