Around the Pikesville area, Millicent Kolker Shocket was well known as “the Backwards Jogging Lady” by motorists and pedestrians.
But Shocket was also known by family, comrades and admirers as a loyal friend, devoted animal lover, talented raconteur, Baltimore historian, unapologetic dancer and lover of classic rock, and the life of any party.
“Whenever I went out with her, she couldn’t go anywhere without running into so many people she knew,” said her niece, Galiel Kolker. “Her health was poor, but she was always rich in friends.”
A longtime Pikesville resident, Shocket passed away last Friday, July 25. She was 76.
Shocket, who was born and raised in Northwest Baltimore, was particularly celebrated for her penchant for jogging backwards — which many fitness enthusiasts advocate — along Smith Avenue and on the track at Pikesville High School.
A staple at the old Gordon’s Seafood restaurant in Pikesville, where she worked for many years, Shocket was remembered by loved ones as witty, engaging, kind-hearted, free-spirited and thoughtful.
In his eulogy, Shocket’s brother, Stan Kolker, called her “a world-class extrovert,” a “rock of endurance” and a “mentschette.”
Galiel Kolker noted in her eulogy that she and others often referred to Shocket as “the mayor of Pikesville” because of her seemingly countless connections with many people in the community. She described her “Auntie M” as funny, loquacious, “kooky,” self-deprecating, “raw and fun.”
She also said that in all of her health battles over the course of her lifetime, Shocket fought “like a pit bull” and exhibited a tremendous amount of “sheer grit.”
Shocket’s cousin, Stacey Kolker Miranda, noted that Shocket was an avid Scrabble player who won many tournaments.
“She was very smart, but would never admit it,” said Miranda.
More than anything, Shocket loved to dance, laugh and enjoy life, she said.
“Of course she was famous as the girl who runs backwards,” Miranda said. “But she was also famous for her passion for dancing. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ ‘Dancing in the Street’ — Millicent did that many times. Sam Cooke and ‘Twistin’ the Night Away.’ ABBA called her the ‘Dancing Queen,’ and that’s who she was. She loved to do the Madison, the Twist, the Cha-Cha-Cha – all dances.”
Classic rock was a particular passion and area of expertise for Shocket, said Miranda. She recalled that the day before she passed away, Shocket overheard a nurse at the hospital use the term “pitiful.”
Miranda said her cousin, despite her frail state, looked up and said, “Otis Redding,” referencing the soul singer who co-wrote and sang the 1964 hit “Mr. Pitiful.”
“She knew how to keep her sense of humor to the very end,” said Miranda. “Millicent, it’s time for you to drive your red Mustang to heaven and dance like no one’s watching. May you rest in peace.”
Rabbi David E. Herman recalled to going to a shiva house years ago and running into Shocket. She started chatting with him about her social life.
“I thought to myself, ‘Boy, I’m actually having fun at a house of shiva,’” he recalled with a chuckle.
By jogging backwards, Rabbi Herman contended, Shocket offered a “subtle message” to others.
“We can go forward in life, but there’s nothing wrong with looking back,” he said. “As Jews, we always move forward but look backward.”
The rabbi said Shocket was “an expert” on Leviticus 19:18, the Torah commandment to love your neighbor as yourself, as well as a model of resilience.
“Every day was beautiful to her,” he said. “She went through life with a positive attitude, and it was contagious. It rubbed off on all of us. Everybody loved her and that’s the legacy she leaves behind.
“She was a guten neshama [good soul]. If there’s dancing in shemayim [heaven], she’s there jitterbugging with the angels today.”
Shocket is survived by her brother, Stan (M.C.) Kolker; her niece, Galiel Kolker; her nephew, Kyle Kolker (Lauren Bush); and her orange tabby “dream cat,” Oy Vey.
She was predeceased by her parents, Irene and Harry Kolker.
Services were held Monday afternoon, July 28, at Sol Levinson’s Chapel in Pikesville. Interment at Yehuda Amachby Lodge Cemetery, 6326 Hamilton Avenue in Rosedale.
Contributions in Shocket’s memory may be sent to the ASPCA, 424 E. 92nd Street, New York, New York 10128.
Shiva will be at 890 Lesan Road in Randallstown.
“She was one of a kind, a very special person who walked backward and was always moving forward,” wrote Pikesville resident Susan Wolf Dudley on the memorial page of the Sol Levinson & Bros. website. “Being in her company was always uplifting. Millicent was loved and will be missed by everyone who ever met her.”
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