Donna Jean Wattenbarger Miller, 86, passed from this life on October 14th, 2016, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Donna was a native Oklahoman, born in Tulsa, July 21st, 1930, to LeRoy and Doris (Hurst) Wattenbarger. Her parents gave her many opportunities in the arts while growing up. She was given piano and ballet lessons, and spent many hours at the Philbrook Museum of Art. Most mornings she practiced piano before school and was given a gold star sticker, which she proudly placed in the middle of her forehead and wore to school.
Donna always had a great sense of humor and continued this lighthearted “gold star” reward with her own children, grandchildren, piano students, and others.
After graduating from Central High School in Tulsa, Donna started college at Oklahoma College for Women, and went on to graduate from the University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Music in 1952. While at OCW, Donna became a member of the music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) and remained an active member throughout her life.
She was awarded the Presser Music Foundation scholarship for two years while earning her master’s degree in Piano Performance and Composition from the University of Tulsa. While at TU Donna studied with Steinway artist, Stefan Bardas, and for three semesters, was the graduate assistant to Dr. Bela Rozsa. These two European music prodigies were a great influence in her life; and gave her a strong foundation in technique to express her love of music.
Donna also did post graduate work at the University of California at Berkley. After moving to Oklahoma City, she continued to study piano with Robert Laughlin at Oklahoma City University. She was a member of the Accredited Private Music Teachers Association for more than 50 years and took masters classes from Dr. Clarence Burg, and was a 40-year member of the Oklahoma Music Teachers Association.
Her love of music lead her to give the gift of music to others, through her volunteer work with organizations such as the Ladies Music Club of Oklahoma City, where she was the longest standing member to date, in their 108 year history. Donna was a 60-year, Life Member of the LMC, President from 1989-1991, and served on its board for many years. She was also a member of the Pianist Club Division of LMC and was often asked to play for the club and other organizations.
She served as Vice President and later served on the board of the Civic Music Club, and was a Life Member of the Oklahoma City Orchestra League, where she also served on the board.
Music was not the only passion of Donna’s life. She was a devoted wife and mother. Donna and John Collins Miller of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, married on July 4th, 1957 and honeymooned in Hawaii. At the time it was a twelve hour flight-one way!
Donna and John settled in Oklahoma City where John started his own petroleum engineering company, Fort & Miller. They had two daughters, Lynette Loren and ten years later, Margaret Leslie. Donna’s life revolved around being a mother, teaching and performing piano. As a devoted mother, she supported her children’s interests and talents, while making sure they were exposed to the arts.
As a young married couple, many of John’s friends moved from Okmulgee to Oklahoma City and the wives formed a fun group they called, “The Okmulgee Boys’ Wives Club”. The families enjoyed a great deal of time together, which created the cornerstone of their shared friendships.
She was a hands-on on mother, becoming a Girl Scout leader when Lynette became a Brownie and Girl Scout. Donna had been a Girl Scout as a young girl and loved the skills and friendship it offered. She also encouraged both girls to have interests outside of the arts. Donna was very active in helping Lynette with her horse shows, helping to groom, train and travel to the many venues. When Margaret was interested in gymnastics, she took her to lessons, and was also involved in the obedience training of training of Margaret’s Lhasa Apso, Trinket.
Donna often joked that she felt as if she was living in a pet menagerie. Throughout her daughters childhoods there were goldfish, tadpoles, turtles, ducks, a parakeet, chameleons, dogs, cats, and a horse.
She was a devoted wife and learned to ski because her husband did. Although she was not keen on the downhill nature of skiing, she did enjoy the social aspect and fun that the sport offered. As a family, they skied with the Wattenbargers and the Oklahoma “Flatlanders” Ski Club. Long after she retired from skiing, she still got together for lunch with her friends from the Oklahoma Ski Club.
Other family interests were gardening, spending time hiking in Colorado, traveling, and sailing at Lake Hefner and in the Virgin Islands.
Donna loved entertaining, and the traditions of gracious living. Etiquette was her calling card and elegance was always her style. The Steinway Grand piano that her husband gave her was often the centerpiece of her entertaining. In 2008 she hosted “Pianos and Petit Fours”, an afternoon tea benefiting the Steinway Piano Project. She truly enjoyed opening her home for her friends, her many clubs, the Mayflower Society, and both daughters’ friends from their childhood, through today. Every year she looked forward to hosting Lynette’s annual trunk show. She was so proud of her artistic work and loved wearing her pieces every day.
Donna grew up in the Christian Science church, and later joined her husband as a member in the All Souls Episcopal Church.
Later in life she was in the “Sewing Club”. She chuckled as she reminded people “being able to sew was not a requirement”.
In college, Donna joined the Delta Gamma Sorority, and her daughter Margaret followed in her footsteps, pledging Delta Gamma at Kansas University. Donna always loved traveling the world, and later in life she and daughter Lynette, took a trip with the Delta Gammas to Egypt and Jordan. She remained an active “DG” and looked forward to their Golden Cable Investment Group that met at Johnnie’s.
Ultimately, Donna loved and enjoyed life. She loved her family and friends, travel, and her home. She made sure she had fresh cut flowers every day to enjoy and to adorn her home. Donna was deeply attached to Oklahoma, she liked watching its ever-changing skies, and the kindness of fellow “Okies”. She had fun shopping and being pampered in spas across the world. She was an avid reader of history and current events. Curious about all forms of the arts, she joined Music and Drama Club, Opera Club, and The English-Speaking Union of the United States, Oklahoma City Branch. Her knowledge was expansive and she could eloquently enter any conversation with ease.
Donna is preceded in death by her husband, John Collins Miller, her parents, older sister, Mary June Pryor, younger brother, and Robert Allen Wattenbarger.
She is survived by her daughter, Lynette Miller of Dallas; Margaret and husband, Wouter Broekema, of Natick, MA, and her beloved grandchildren, Collin and Emery Broekema who she adored.
Naturally very musical, Donna enjoyed hearing music made by fountains, chimes, and birds in her own garden’s symphony. Her grace and generosity, her wit and sense of humor, along with her broad scope of knowledge will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and community.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ladies Music Club: Piano Scholarships, 2701 Mission Drive, Edmond, OK 73034.
Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, 6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City, OK 73116
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