Lynda Irene Knight Miller died on Easter Sunday, April 4th, 2021. She passed unexpectedly and suddenly, in her home, with loved ones present. Lynda was born in Orange, California on June 19th, 1938, which was both her mother’s birthday and Father’s Day. Her parents were Everett Charles Knight of Santa Paula, California, and Dorothy Tippett Morgan Knight, of Austin, Texas; both were long time Orange residents. Lynda was a fourth generation Californian, a descendant of the very earliest California pioneers and ranching families in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Her ancestors came to the American Colonies in the 1600’s, and among them were both Revolutionary War soldiers and Loyalists. Lynda graduated from Orange High School and received her Bachelor’s in education and teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach. She was a gifted and respected teacher for 40 years, working at Parkview Elementary in Garden Grove and later at Orange Methodist Childcare Center where she was known to many as “Miss Lynda”.
Lynda is survived by her devoted soul mate and husband of 61 years, William Neal Miller, of Orange; her daughter and son-in-law, Elisa (Claudio) McGuire of Aguanga; and her three loving grandchildren and their wonderful spouses: Ben (Kellie) Butkiewicz of Temecula; Lacy (Billy) Sisler of Murrieta, and Mallory (Justin) Howard of Orange. Lynda leaves behind thirteen beautiful great-grandchildren who were the light of her life: Esmé Butkiewicz, Penelope Grace, Zadie Butkiewicz, Oliver Sisler, Wyatt Leon, Eowyn Butkiewicz, Haylee Howard, Ezra Butkiewicz, Owen Leon, Georgia Sisler, Olive Butkiewicz, Arlow Howard, and Will Howard. Lynda was devoted to her many dear and lifelong friends, including the “Magnificent Seven” (Barbara Paul Shears, Janis Sparks Lopes, Mary Wolfe Robinson, Deanna Wolfe Scott, Shirley Bell Lane, and June Barnes Cheo), Carol Stadum, Pat and Jerry Batty, and Gordie Trostad.
Lynda loved shopping and lunches with her granddaughters, phone calls and visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, laughing, traveling with family and friends, mysteries and science fiction, good food and wine, celebrations and parties, performances at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, holidays and family gatherings, the Central Coast, and all things related to Bigfoot and UFO's. She was a lifelong Democrat and a progressive Christian; she and Bill were members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Orange. Her family is grateful that she lived to see Joe Biden become our President, a long-time hope of hers. In her younger years, she was an excellent horsewoman (Western saddle), and a competitive tennis player and swimmer. She was funny, quick witted, sarcastic, extremely smart, vibrant, and the life of every party. She will be missed deeply by everyone who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations made in her name to either Friendly Center in Orange (friendlycenter.org) or Heifer International (heifer.org).
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