Marilyn M. Miller

Marilyn Miller died peacefully at home on Friday, September 16, 2022. Marilyn lived a very full and blessed life. She was touched by many and she touched so many lives in her 91 “short” years. She was born at home in Denver, CO on June 29, 1931, ten minutes after her dad’s birthday (he never forgave her for that one). She was the daughter of John K. Leinberger and Hazel (Ferree) Leinberger. She had 2 brothers (Robert and William) both whom she has joined in heaven.

She graduated in 1948 from Manual High School in Denver and attended and graduated in 1952 from Colorado University in Boulder.

She met Jack H Miller in 1952 and they married in her childhood church Epworth Methodist on her 21st birthday, June 29, 1952. Jack and Marilyn had 46 years of marriage before Jack passed in 1998. Marilyn and Jack raised 2 children Karen and Bob “Bear”. She was active in their childhood lives with PTA, as a sports mom, and just the everyday life of being “mom”. This was her most proud title that she had—“mom”.

She started teaching in 1952 but then took several years off to raise her children. In the mid-60’s she started subbing and before she knew it, she was back teaching 1st grade—her love! She was truly in her element in the classroom. Her students became hers. During her teaching career, she was honored with being Denver’s Teacher of the Year. She retired after 25 years of teaching in 1988.

During her years as a full-time teacher, she was also a full time mom and a full time accountant for Jack’s business. She did all the books, payroll, taxes, etc after the dinner hour. She also took care of her mother who lived with the family.

Once retired, she did not slow down. She mentored student teachers at Metro State for a few years and then she found a new love, Volunteering!

She volunteered at the State Capital as well as the Denver Chamber of Commerce where she conducted tours around downtown. She loved pointing out the D & F Tower and the mysteries within and the talking sidewalk. She would walk with her tour group up and down the 16th St Mall with guests from around the world and all ages. They were all entertained by her stories.

She also volunteered at the Molly Brown House downtown. From there she became a “Carpet Bagger” traveling around the Denver area telling stories to students all about Margaret, “Molly”, Brown.

Then… she found that she could go around to the different schools and tell stories in the classrooms. She would travel to around 15 schools on a regular basis and many others as guest storyteller. She told stories to all ages in all classrooms. The children became enthralled with Mrs. Miller and her stories. Ask many students whom she told stories, and they can still repeat “…A Long, Long Time ago and Far, Far Away because that is the way all good stories begin…”

Several words describe Marilyn. Stubborn, quite the character, story-teller, mom, grandma, grandmama, friend to name just a few.

Marilyn’s legacy lives on in her children Karen and Bob (Bear), her son-in-law, John, her daughter-in-law Sandy, her grandchildren; Amber, BJ, Caela, John, Jeff, Julie, Scott and her 12 Great-Grandchildren.

Her love, her stories and her smile will live on!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marilyn's honor to the Denver Hospice by visiting: www.thedenverhospice.org or to the Spell Binders by visiting: www.spellbinders.org