A quarter of a century ago, Chris and Sandye Mills left the hubbub of the Nation’s Capital to move to a new home overlooking the mouth of the Great Wicomico River as it empties into Chesapeake Bay. Their home was built on a part of the former Sebra farm and the ambience of country living survived the development of the property.
When Chris and Sandye moved to the Northern Neck, Sandye was already in a progressive stage of MS, but undeterred in her determination to lead as active and productive a life as possible. They had enjoyed traveling, but they realized the increasing limitations of movement as Sandye’s disease continued to advance.
Their home was large and commodious, which allowed them to turn it into a B&B, appropriately called “Grandview.” The B&B was more than a business, as it afforded them the opportunity to meet visitors from all over America. In the process, they formed lasting friendships with guests who appreciated their hospitality.
Chris especially thrived on the experience of running an inn. His breakfasts were legendary; his conversations were stimulating; his attention to detail was inspiring. As her immobility increased, Sandye was limited in what she could do, but she was in no way limited as far as being a gracious hostess, welcoming folks and making suggestions as to how they could spend their time here as productively as possible.
In addition to running his own establishment, Chris was a great proponent of tourism across the Northern Neck. He would host meetings at “Grandview,” inviting fellow entrepreneurs to come to discuss plans for showcasing the Northern Neck as successfully as possible. Colleagues came for the discussions, but perhaps even more to enjoy Chris’s cuisine.
“Grandview” was in operation for almost 20 years, but as Sandye’s health continued to decline, she and Chris realized that she would need more professional care than he could give her at home. Through their friendship with the late Barbara and Hugh Lovell, they learned of The Virginia Home in Richmond. At the time, Barbara was serving on the board of the home and she was able to arrange for Sandye to be accepted as a resident.
The Virginia Home is one of the Commonwealth’s most exemplary institutions. All residents live there without cost, receiving splendid care and using the varied facilities to the extent that they are able to participate in them. Sandye enjoyed the last year of her life amid the camaraderie of the other residents and the great staff, all of whom work to make the experience of being there as pleasant and engaging as possible.
In 2020, the year after Sandye died, Chris closed the B&B. The following year, he moved to Richmond, where he died earlier this month at the age of 80. As a spouse, Chris was extraordinarily impressive. He ensured that Sandye would have the finest care and the best medical treatment available, all designed to enhance her quality of life despite her abiding illness.
In that effort he succeeded brilliantly. Sandye and Chris were married for over 45 years, for the last 35 of which Sandye was ill, but despite her increasing difficulty in speaking and moving, she and Chris both remained people of good cheer. To others they always seemed to be happy and enjoying life, all of which emotions were genuine. They set an example for everyone who knew them to remember, namely that the human spirit can triumph over tremendous adversity, as it did in their case every day.
Christopher Joseph Mills, March 31, 1944 – January 4, 2025. R.I.P.
