Sally M (Millard) Miller
Sally Miller Obituary
Sally M. Miller (née Millard) of Medford NJ passed away peacefully, with family present, on Wednesday afternoon March 13th, 2024. She was 88 years old. She died after a brief illness, seven years after a devastating stroke and a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Everywhere she went she was remembered for her smile.
Born in 1936 to Charlotte (née Adams) and John Millard in Queens NY, Sally grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. She graduated from Hastings High School in 1954 and went to Oberlin College, where she met and married Philip H. Miller. Sadly, she was widowed at age 38 and from then on raised her four children as a single mom.
For 25 years, Sally worked as an elementary educator teaching grades 3-6. For the last 21 of those years, she was a 4th and 5th grade teacher in the Jordan-Eldridge Central School District in central New York. She was an ideal teacher inspiring children with the wonders of the life sciences (many small animals and plants resided in her classroom) providing a firm grounding in the 3 R’s, and individualizing instruction for a diverse range of abilities. Many students remember her as their favorite teacher.
Sally found Quakers while at Oberlin and became a Friend. She was a member of the first School of the Spirit class (a Quaker spiritual formation program) and served Friends in numerous leadership roles. She was clerk of Syracuse Monthly Meeting (NYYM) and later of Mount Holly Monthly Meeting (PYM), served on New York Yearly Meeting Committees, and was involved with Quakers world-wide through the Friends World Committee for Consultation and Right Sharing of World Resources. Upon moving to Medford Leas Retirement Community in Medford, NJ, she became an enthusiastic supporter of the community and served as President of the Medford Leas Residents Association.
Sally pursued a wide range of talents. She was published in Highlights Magazine for Children and wrote artfully crafted (unpublished) poetry and short stories. She sang in her community choir, played viola in her community orchestra, and was a self-taught pianist. A lifelong artist, she spent many fruitful hours in the studio at Medford Leas drawing and painting with watercolors. Her paintings live on as keepsakes.
Her love of travel led her to make two memorable trips to Japan, coming away with a deep appreciation for that culture. She was an adept bridge player. She also loved animals and had a succession of cat and dog companions that were dear to her in widowhood. The birds that came to her feeder were a joy to her.
Sally is survived by three of her children: Sarah (Nathaniel Corwin) of Greensboro, NC, Dave (Linda Connolly) of East Greenbush, NY, Dan (Kim) of Schenectady, NY, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. In addition, she leaves behind three sisters-in-law: Sarah I. Miller (also her closest friend), Gay Wellman, and Diane Millard, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter Elisabeth, her sister Jane True, and her brother Steve Millard.
A celebration of Sally’s life will be held at one o’clock on April 13th in the Holly Room at Medford Leas in Medford, NJ.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorial donations in Sally’s name may be made to Friends World Committee for Consultation Section of the Americas, fwcc.world/fwcc-section-of-the-americas-meeting or to the Medford Leas Residents Association medfordleas.org/support.
Arrangements under the direction of the Bradley & Stow Funeral Home 127 Medford-Mt. Holly Road, Medford, NJ 08055.
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