Betty Jean Miller

Jean died Monday evening, November 1, 2021 with all three sons and her closest friend in attendance, at her home in Ida Culver House, Broadview. She was born at home on September 29, 1927 In Sedro-Woolley, Washington to Louie and Margaret Opstad. Very soon afterward, the family moved to the Olympic Peninsula where she grew up and graduated with honors from Port Townsend High School, class of 1945. She pursued a nursing career at Seattle University and as a member of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle.

At 19, she married Earle S. Miller of Boston, Massachusetts. Earle was stationed at Boeing Field training pilots in the U.S. Army AirCorps. Her newlywed life included a year on Earle's parent's farm on Prince Edward Island and later, a return to Seattle where they settled in the Magnolia neighborhood. Here, she worked as a business office supervisor with Pacific Northwest Bell.

She was a devoted wife and an excellent mother of three boys, with no activity, incident or task ever seeming to phase her. Jean approached every project or encounter with an upbeat optimistic attitude, creativity and refined sense of humor. She listened empathetically, responded with gentle guidance and had a determination toward projects that amazed those around her.

Earle passed in 2011, yet Jean stayed very active. Her lifetime pastimes included a passion for collecting American Brilliant Period Cut Glass, the pursuit of the wild mountain blackberry, baking astounding cookies, building an extensive collection of Santa Claus' and mastering the art of the 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle.

She leaves behind her sons, Bruce (Ryan Seaborne), Wayne (Adina), Brian (Cindy) grandchildren Brandon, Tyler, Tina and Patrick and great-grandson Kayden.

Remembrances to the Northwest Kidney Centers or your favorite charity.

A graveside service for Betty will be held Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133.