Camilla “Millie” Plutino, known affectionately by a rotating cast of nicknames including Red, Zia, and most famously Aunt Millie, passed away peacefully at home in her favorite cozy chair on January 19, 2026, at the age of 84. Born at home in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania on July 29, 1941, Millie moved through life with a brightness that made even ordinary days feel a little more joyful for those lucky enough to cross her path.
A proud graduate of Laurel Hill Academy in Susquehanna, Millie went on to spend more than 50 years as a hairdresser, though “hairdresser” scarcely captures the role she played. Her many long-term customers will tell you she offered far more than a trim or a set; she offered community, humor, and an infinite supply of kindness. Whenever someone asked how she was doing, she gave the same answer: “I’m nice.” She meant it as a playful twist on a common greeting, but the truth was that it suited her perfectly. Millie was, unfailingly, genuinely nice, steadfastly kind, endlessly generous, and welcoming to all.
Rooted deeply in her Catholic faith, she was an active member of Church of the Holy Family in Endwell, where her voice joined the choir, her hands supported bereavement services, and her spirit enlivened everything from Lenten fish dinners to the annual bazaar. For Millie, church was both sanctuary and extended family, a natural fit for someone who created community wherever she went.
Proud of her large Italian family, she carried forward traditions through food, laughter, and her signature habit of gathering people close, always with a touch of Irish wit that made every moment brighter. She also carried forward a lively sense of humor – never missing the chance to announce, with a mischievous smile, that she was a “hooker,” a reference to her beloved pastime of hooking wool rugs. Her creations were not only beautiful but crafted with the same warmth she poured into every part of her life.
Millie found joy in simple pleasures: her Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, an afternoon playing the slots at Tioga Downs, spirited rounds of cards, and many games of bingo shared with friends and relatives. No matter the setting, her good nature made her the kind of person others naturally gravitated toward – someone who could make a stranger feel like family within minutes. It’s no wonder that once people met her, they, too, began calling her Aunt Millie.
Camilla was predeceased by her parents, Paul and Freda Plutino; her sister Dominica “Dodie” (David) Roberts; and her brother James Plutino. She is survived by her sisters‑in‑law Agnes Plutino and Donna Plutino Kirkman; her nieces and nephews Denise (Nathan) Hurlin, Suzanne Bjork, Daniel Roberts, Tony Plutino, Tim (Stella) Plutino, and David (Brian) Roberts; along with many cherished cousins, as well as numerous grand and great‑grand nieces and nephews who adored her.
Services will be held at Church of the Holy Family at 3600 Phyllis St, Endwell, NY on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Calling hours at 10:00 am with Mass at 11am. Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Susquehanna, PA, in the Spring. Expressions of sympathy in her honor can be sent to Mercy House, https://mercyhousesoutherntier.com/
Those who knew her will forever remember her warmth, humor, and the way she made each person feel seen, loved, and, of course, nice.
