Helen Marion Miller

A 90th Birthday Poem for Helen Marion (Avery) Miller

December 6, 2016

With much love from Pamela McManus

The day I met Helen, I saw from the start

Her genuine spirit, her pureness of heart.

Respected by all of the family, bar none,

Our Helen is popular gal number one.

Her mom was a teacher, her father did farm.

I’ll bet, since her childhood, dear Helen did charm.

All those whom she knew with her warm, sincere smile,

Her good sense of humor, her calm, graceful style.

In high school, she met the true love of her life

On 4/8/47, he made her his wife.

Her Stanley was honest, hard-working, and kind.

Admired by so many, he had a great mind.

And Helen had goals that she wanted to reach.

She got her degree and credential to teach

In Stockton and just to be really specific,

She got both of them at V of the Pacific.

The Union School called her and asked if she could

Teach first grade for them, and she said that she would!

She greatly enjoyed teaching during that year.

Soon after, her own boys began to appear.

She raised four good sons: Craig, Bruce, Russel and Cary

And as the boys grew, the whole family had very

Enjoyable summers at Mineral King and

Their time in Cayucos were also just grand.

On Avenue number two-eighty, her yard

Was always just gorgeous. She worked very hard

To plant pretty flowers for all to admire.

I’m told, if she found weeds, she’d set them on fire!

She’s lived by her Christian beliefs every day

And always gave time to the church in some way

Including the day care, and you can be sure

Those kids quite enjoyed being cared for by her.

And when S. L. Miller Construction began,

Sweet Helen was such a big help to her man.

She handled the payroll, the invoicing, AND

In those days, it all had to be done by hand!

This fine nonagenarian’s traveled the earth

And lived a quite a meaningful life since her birth-

A life in which hard work’s been balanced by fun,

She’s truly a role model for everyone.

She loved to pay tennis and went bowling, too.

Her fondness for kitty cats everyone knew.

And Helen is so sharp that she’s truly able

To do crossword puzzles in ink-that’s no fable.

With six biological grandchildren, yes,

And four great-grandchildren our Lord God did bless

Our Helen, And counting all stepchildren too.

The Total is 19. Impressive-whoo-hoo!

She’s ever so beautiful, inside and out.

You know you can trust her, without any doubt.

She’s one classy lady, and no one has heard

Escape from her lips even one dirty word.

This poem wishes Helen a Birthday that’s bright

And filled with the things that bring her much delight.

I hope on her 90th, she’ll rediscover

How cherished she is and how much, we all Love Her.

Helen leaves sons Craig (Penny), Bruce (Patti), Russel (Debbie) and Cary (Gretchen) Miller. Grandchildren Brooke Brockway, Randa Miller, Calli Eggleston, Aaron Miller, Elly Chatten, Randa Hall, Sara Bas, Dalton & Wyatt Miller. Great Grandchildren Xander & Gabriel Eggleston, Haylee & Avery and soon to be Mayleen Chatten. Jackson & Addison Hall, Paisley Brockway and Helen's sister in law Clettis McManus.

We especially want to thank daughter in law's Debbie Miller who in Helen's last weeks almost never left her side. Cary & Gretchen for taking her to most of her appointments.

Rick and Michelle Carsey and family for being such good friend to Helen. Quail Park Retirement Village and all their wonderful staff and care givers and KDDH Hospice.

In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite church or charity.

A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 9:00 am at the Visalia Public Cemetery District 1300 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchape.com.