Joann McCaw Miller

Miller, Joann McCaw 77 of Tempe, Arizona passed on February 23, 2013 after a long battle with liver cancer. She passed peacefully and was surrounded by family. Joann was born August, 22, 1935 to Paul McCaw and Bertha Austin. She was an Arizona native and grew up in Tempe on Roosevelt Street. Her father, Paul, was a Tempe Justice of the Peace and her mother taught elementary school for the district. Joann attended Payne Training School and graduated from Tempe High School in 1953. She went on to ASU and received her degree in Elementary Education in 1965 and her Masters in Education in 1970. She married Jack Bennett Miller in 1954, they lived in Tempe where she worked at ASU before starting her teaching career at Broadmor Elementary School for 30 years. Joann was active in Lakeshore Bible Church of God for many years and an active member of ESA International Alpha Kappa Sorority. She loved to travel and took her family on several cruises throughout the years and visited many places with her sisters, cousins, and best friend Addie. Joann loved spending time with family at their cabin at Mormon Lake. She was involved in preserving the history of Tempe families through Tempe Historical Society and Tempe Old Settler's Group. Joann loved volunteering for Meals on Wheels, Connecting with Kids, and raising funds for the local Women's Shelter. She enjoyed helping family and others. Joann's favorite thing of all was helping her grandchildren through college, exciting travels, and spending time with all of her family. She is survived by her children Jim (Barbara) Miller, Larri Ann Gose, and grandchildren; Alan Miller, Randy (Vanessa) Miller, Lindsey (Shawn) Howard, Kylie Gose, Danny Miller, and Matthew Miller as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Jack Bennett, son Mark Miller, and siblings; Cecil McCaw, Pauline O'Neill, Tommy McCaw, Geraldine Hanger. She will always be remembered for being a very social, independent, strong woman who was outspoken in her beliefs. We will always love you Nanny! A If so desired, memorial donations may be made on her behalf to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014 (www.hov.org). There will be a visitation on Friday, March 1st, 2013 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Green Acres Chapel of Light. Celebration of Life will take place at 2:30pm on Saturday, March 2nd, 2013 at Green Acres Chapel of Light, 401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85257.