Obituary: Millie Fellows FBDO

The late Millie Fellows

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Millie Fellows FBDO on Monday 15 September 2025.

Millie was a great friend to many across the eyecare sector – a loving wife, mother and colleague who was dedicated to her family, profession and the wider eyecare community .

Millie is survived by her husband, Stephen, and their children, Poppy, Ruby and Jacob. She will be remembered for her warmth, generosity and unwavering commitment and support to those around her.

A member of ABDO since 1994, Millie devoted her career to advancing the profession of dispensing optics, and promoting and supporting primary eyecare. Her many roles included work in practice, management and professional support, as well as leadership at both local, regional and national levels.

Working in High Street multiples as a dispensing optician, then developing into leadership positions, Millie went on to pursue further study in people management and HR. Through this, Millie found herself working to support the chair of Oxford Local Optical Committee (LOC), from where she moved on to become secretary and then eventually the LOC chair.

Throughout her time on LOCs, and in other roles, she constantly championed the development, recognition and inclusion of dispensing opticians.

Millie’s influence extended nationally through her role as clinical non-executive director on the Board of the Local Optical Committee Support Unit, and her service on its Remuneration Committee – as well as being a General Optical Council Fitness to Practise panel member. At the same time, she was contributing to ABDO – first as a local and then regional lead, eventually taking on a national role helping to shape and strengthen the organisation’s regional structure.

In recognition of her extraordinary dedication, Millie was awarded the ABDO Medal of Excellence in 2024, one of the profession’s highest honours. Colleagues across the sector praised her passion, advocacy and tireless work on behalf of dispensing opticians and the wider eyecare sector.

Above all, Millie will be remembered for her fantastic sense of humour, kindness, integrity and her ability to inspire and support others. She will be hugely missed by her friends and colleagues, and our sincere condolences are extended to Stephen and her family.