Patricia Breslin Miller

We celebrate your life with those who read this tribute to you.

You have shared your love with so many through your life.

Patricia B. Miller (Mom), you left our earth on February 9, 2020, at John Knox Village in Pompano Beach, Florida. You were born to Carolyn and Arthur Breslin on June 24, 1929, in New York.

In 1937 when you were 7, the family including little brother Donald C. Breslin (deceased) (Margaret) moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Carolyn’s brother, Donald MacNeir designed their two story home located between A-1-A and Center Avenue where no homes stood between your house and the ocean and few homes existed in the area due to the fear of another big hurricane.

You took the bus from your beach home to downtown to attend Eastside School and St. Anthony’s for grade and high school. You attended the University of Florida in the first class of women to attend the all-male school. Very quickly you met your future husband William G. Miller, Jr. (deceased) who was attending the law school. You were married in Fort Lauderdale at St Anthony’s by Monsignor O’Looney. Four children were born, Bonny (Forrest), William Gerry Miller III (Kathie), Sharon and Tom (Debbie).

Not only were you a full time mother, you worked tirelessly to support your husband in his law practice and your community.

You were a Cub and Girl Scout mom, a promoter of volunteerism teaching your kids to collect for the Heart Association, taking us to what is now called the Storck Center for disabled children and raising money for St Anthony’s where your kids attended. You volunteered during the Big League World Series of Little League at Floyd Hull stadium.

Your great love of nature was apparent as you were a Charter member of the Moringa Garden Circle of the Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. for over 60 years, you served as President and were on many committees. You were active on the Committee to Save Birch State Park.

A member and President of the Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale, Inc., the Junior Welfare Society, a charter member of the Wilton Manors Historical Society, member of the Broward County Commission on the Status of Women; appointed to the 4th District Court of Appeal nominating Commission; a member of the Broward County Bar Grievance Committee your impact was felt across Broward County.

Later in life you went back to school and obtained your BA at Broward Community College, your master’s degree in social work from Barry University and became a licensed clinical social worker. Your lifelong love for the elderly led you to work for Catholic Family Services where you opened and directed the first Senior Day Care Center in Broward County. Prior to retiring you became the Executive Director. You were named Social Worker of the Year in 1981 by the National Association of Social Workers.

You continued your work in the community as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Anthony’s for 12 years; you were recognized as a Broward County Pioneer by the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society and participated for years in the Pioneer Ladies luncheons. Your passion for the Bonnet House was shown by your service on the Alliance and your leading tours of the house.

You supported and shared your love of music, ballet and the arts.

You showed unending love for your grandchildren Dean (Jana), William (Candace), Sara, Andre, Lydia, Melissa and Angela and great grandchildren Rebecca, Kylee, Breslin, Penelope, Jayden and Evan and great-greatgrandson Emmett. You especially shared your love of fresh water fishing with your family and it is continued with zest by your oldest son and grandchildren.

You moved to John Knox Village after your diagnosis of Parkinson’s. During your time at John Knox Village you started and were active in the Parkinson’ Support Group and were active in various other committees and projects for the improvement of the residents at John Knox. John Knox recognized you for your countless hours of volunteer service with a Volunteer Hall of Fame Award.

When you could no longer lift your head on your own due to your disease you were involved in exercise programs and all types of inventions to help you keep strong.

Your love of cribbage, bingo, the casino AND dark chocolate continued to the end of your life.

You NEVER gave up.

No matter what happened you got back up.

A tough Irish rose.

You did it your way!!!

Thank you for showing us the way.

Services for Pat Breslin Miller will be held on February 22, 2020.

Mass: 12:30 pm

St. Anthony Catholic Church

901 NE 2nd Street

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Irish Wing-Ding: 2:00

John Knox Village

651 SW 6 St. Pompano Beach

Lakeside Dining Room

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson Disease Research

P.O. Box 5014

Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014

Or to:

Moringa Garden Circle Tree Fund

℅ Barbara Richie 7826 Beech Fern Circle

Tamarac FL 33321.