Essex, Essex - Amelia C. (Siwkoski) Hamlen, 97 of Essex, wife of the late Frank Gardner (Gar) Hamlen, passed peacefully after a brief illness. "Millie" was born and raised in Salem; daughter of the late Stanislaw and Maryanna (Radgmski) Siwkoski.

Millie was a 1945 graduate of Salem Vocational High School. During her senior year, she worked at Sylvania on Loring Ave for the Victory shift during the War. Her summer vacation found her working for Ivory System Athletic Equipment in Peabody. Later on, Millie worked at Sylvania on Sylvan Street in Danvers as well as New England Telephone where she was the switchboard supervisor operator. She oversaw the change from switchboard to dial phones in the offices in Saugus, Manchester-By-The-Sea, and Hamilton.

Millie summered in Essex before moving permanently from Marblehead after marriage, where she enjoyed lake life, water-skiing and boating. She was a member of Polish Falcons Nest, #188 Salem, where was crowned the Harvest Queen in 1948. Millie was a member of the Falcons bowling league and belonged to the Sylvania Women's Golf League.

She enjoyed vacationing in Florida; eventually her and Gar spent winters in Micco, FL and summers in Essex. The best of both worlds. While in Florida, Millie remained active and was a member of the Women of the Moose, a regular member of a dart team, as well as the Red Hats. She was an avid golfer and swimmer during her time there.

When retired back to Essex, Millie became active with the Essex Senior Club. She was elected secretary; then served as President for 5 years before holding the office of Vice President. She enjoyed many activities: Polka dancing, crocheting, knitting, sewing, gentle yoga, balance classes, swimming at the Y, shopping at the mall with friends, road trips to Foxwoods, concerts, and special luncheon socials with friends. Her and friends loved to travel: Aruba, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Bermuda, Cancun, as well as various overnight trips.

Through all of life's joys and memories, Millie's favorite sayings were: "All good things come to and end," and "See you around like a doughnut."

Millie is survived by her son, Scott Gardner Hamlen and his wife, Joanne, her daughter-in-law, Susan Gamble, her grandchildren: Scott, Ashley, and Taylor Hamlen, Kelly (Gamble) Rospide, and Steven C. Gamble, four great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Millie also leaves her stepdaughters, Diane Hamlen-Riggeri, and Janet Brady Hickman, as well as her niece, Cathy Monahan and her family, and nephew, Philp Carter and his family.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Charles (Chuck) S. Gamble and her sister, Helen Carter.

Visitation will be at the Campbell Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich (formerly Whittier-Porter) on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 12 p,m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. A funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. Interment services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Millie's memory to the Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.