Marian J. Miller

Marian was born June 1922 to Opha Helen Gregg Burgam and William Fredrick Burgam in Armada, Michigan. She grew up with her younger sister Wilma Ruth in Michigan, living in Armada, Sinclair Shores, and Clawson, graduating from Clawson High School at 17. She spent many summers on her Aunt Winnie's farm, who nicknamed her Marnee.

Besides being attractive, she was an athletic young lady, loved playing baseball and was nicknamed “Lefty”; both of her broken ring fingers were caused by baseball accidents. She enjoyed bowling throughout her life, as well as swimming, ever a ‘good sport’. Like her mother, she was a Detroit Tigers fan and was always ready for a card game.

After high school, Marian worked for Michigan Bell in Birmingham, then J.L. Hudson in Detroit. Creative and artistic, her interests and hobbies included sewing, needlework, knitting, picture-taking, beach-combing, baking, and later in life oil painting, cake decorating, canning, raising African Violets, and various home decorative crafts. Sweets, especially chocolate, have been her favorite indulgence, as well as acquiring costume jewelry. She was teased over her fondness for ketchup. Marian exemplified her faith in the Almighty; she became a Jehovah Witness in1971, and in 2001 became a member of their West Rosemead Congregation.

In July 1946, Marian married Edward 'Ted' Miller, in Clawson, Michigan. An ex-Marine, Ted became an electrician. They raised 4 children, Cindi and Phil, born in Michigan, and Marnee and Alaine, born in California. During their marriage, they moved 7 times between Michigan, California, Washington and Oregon, before finally settling in Utah. She became Nana to 4 beloved grandchildren, Marc and Tamiko Juvinall, and Ariana and William Gill, and has numerous nieces and nephews.

She has always enjoyed traveling, initially various trips in Michigan and Canada, eventually including much of the U.S., and into Mexico. She also went to British Isles with family in 1973, on a Caribbean Cruise with co-workers, and after retirement, to Denmark. She enjoyed camping with her family, and helped with PTA, pre-school, Scouts, Little League, etc. Having a lifelong wry sense of humor, she loves making puns and silly jokes. 'Hi Kiddo' was her favorite greeting. Smiling, patient, eager to assist others, adventuresome, appreciative and undemanding, her loving nature endeared her to family and life-long friends.

Besides earning income from her decorated cakes, Marian sold Avon for several years, and resumed working when her children were older, retiring from America First Credit Union in Ogden, Utah in 1988. Widowed in 1982, she moved from Utah back to Michigan to care for her mother in 1990. In poor health due to Parkinson's Disease, she relocated to California again in August, 2001, to live with Cindi and her family, then moved into assisted care at Vista Cove in March 2010.

A life is more than its historical facts. From my perspective, Mom was as unselfish as they come, doing for others, offering to help, deferential to a fault. She didn't interfere or criticize; I so appreciate her easy-going nature and humor; and wish I had more of it myself. So many cards and notes to her speak of her patience and kindness. She courageously coped with her illness without complaint or self-pity, and kept her sense of humor – along with way too much stuff. She her had flaws and regrets, but I will always admire her perseverance, resilience, ready smile and quiet warmth, and love her dearly.

Marian passed away December 20th, 2011, in San Gabriel. She is survived by all her children and grandchildren, son-in-law Ed, her only sister Wilma Manes, and a cousin, Roger Lewis.

Services are scheduled for Tuesday, December 27th, 4:30 PM, at Turner-Stevens 1136 E. Las Tunas Dr., San Gabriel.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor are suggested to:

Convalescent Aid Society, 3255 E. Foothill Bl, Pasadena, CA 91107 www.cas1.org -or-

Vitas Hospice Charitable Fund, 1343 Grand Av. Suite 100, Covina, CA 91724

Contact: Cynthia Juvinall, 816 Anderson Way, SG 91776 cindi.juvinall@gmail.com