Sheila M. Miller

Born in New York City to Veronica E. and Joseph Taylor McHie, Sheila grew up in Bayside, Queens, New York. Sheila graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, NY and State University of New York at Oneonta where she earned a degree in early childhood education. She later received a master’s degree in education from Bridgewater State University. She started her teaching career in Deer Park, NY prior to moving to Chatham in 1965 when she married her late husband Kenneth M. Miller of Harwichport. The couple settled and raised their three children in Chatham.

Sheila loved children and was passionate about their education. She genuinely enjoyed being a part of the Chatham Elementary School system until 1999 when she reluctantly retired due to her illness. Sheila touched the lives of many people with her kind heart and warm loving nature. Sheila in turn was fulfilled by the successes and achievements of the hundreds of Chatham students she taught over the years.

Sheila enjoyed traveling, especially to Caribbean destinations. She took pleasure in the sun and solitude of Chatham beaches like Cotchpinicut and Scatteree. She loved and was comforted by dogs of any kind and she was an avid sports fan, always on the sidelines of her children’s sporting events as well as following the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics. Most of all, Sheila cherished the love of her three children and delighted in her granddaughter.

At age 55 Sheila was diagnosed with a rare disease, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), that caused her to gradually lose movement, voice and sight. Sheila accepted this with grace and an appreciation for the positive, important things of life. Sheila was grateful for the friends and caregivers who helped her cope with the effects of PSP.

Sheila is survived by her beloved children, Maura J. Miller of Stratton, VT, Lori Miller Gilmore of Brewster, MA, and Brian McHie Miller of St. Augustine, FL; her loving sister, Regina McHie McDowell and her husband Gerald of Chatham; her son-in-law Steve Gilmore and her cherished granddaughter Jillian Gilmore of Brewster; and many nieces & nephews.

Visiting hours are 3-6pm Sunday, August 5, at Nickerson Funeral Home, 87 Crowell Road, Chatham. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am Monday, August 6, at Holy Redeemer Church, 57 Highland Avenue, Chatham. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sheila’s name to the Chatham Angel Fund or the Brewster Chapter of the Animal Rescue League of Boston. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com