Veronica Agnes Miller's Obituary
Veronica (Ronnie) A. Miller
Veronica, known as Ronnie by family and friends passed away peacefully on July 4, 2017 after a short struggle with a stroke and a lifelong struggle with a hearing problem. She was the oldest daughter of John and Mary Miller and the beloved sister of John Jr., Arthur, Lillian, Mary, Bernadine and Ann. She had numerous nephews, nieces, grand nieces and a few great grand nieces. She loved them all dearly and kept a family record in an annually updated address list. For years she distributed the Miller Sentinel with details of family activities. She was born on October 13, 1924 in Detroit, MI. During the Great Depression, the family moved to a small forty acre farm in Remus down the road from St. Michael’s Church on M-20 and 50th Ave. A gifted child, she learned early in life to adapt to different environments and spent several periods with grandparents in Riverview, MI who had central heating in their home. Ear infections were frequent in those days and successful therapies were not available She developed a chronic mastoid infection that kept her from many farm activities that her siblings enjoyed. Ronnie graduated from Remus High School as valedictorian and went on to attend the University of Michigan, the first one in the family. She was a stellar student and was the first woman accepted in the Chemistry Department. She was a proud alumna of the University of Michigan and always credited the university and her parents with preparing her for her various careers as a high school teacher and genealogist. For a number of years she worked for the FBI never letting her hearing problem hold her back. Later she returned for more education at George Washington University and Princeton University. Living in DC, she had access to the Library of Congress and was able to use their extensive libraries to advance her work in genealogy. This was a part time avocation while she was teaching high school chemistry at Wheaton High School in MD. After her retirement from teaching, she became an expert in family history, tracing both of her parents’ ancestry. A lifelong learner, she enhanced her publishing skills by acquiring an Apple computer and learning E-mail and data management. She worked closely with her godson Richard Simms Jr. and together they compiled a family history worthy of merit as a scholarly work. After retirement, she returned to the family farm, in Remus, MI, learning gardening and farming skills from her father she was unable to do as a child. She was an eager learner mastering strawberry and alfalfa crops much to the surprise of her father. During her teaching career, she spent a year in Tasmania, Australia on a Fulbright fellowship. This overseas adventure left her with an interest in world travel and for a number of years she and her Aunt Jo traveled to many countries. After caring for her parents in their last days, she went on to learn more about raising cattle and her last major project was to convert part of the family farm to a mini cattle ranch where the numerous nieces and nephews can still see cattle roaming the fields and hills. True to our parent’s last wishes, she has preserved the farm as a place of peace and tranquility. We will never forget the biannual family reunions she hosted at the farm and Maxfields restaurant. She kept the family and farm together as our parents wished. Arrangements will be made by Janowicz Family Funeral Home in Remus Michigan. Veronica’s life will be celebrated on July 15, 2017 at St Michael's Parish Remus Michigan. An informal gathering at 10:00 am with Mass at 11:00 am. A luncheon will follow--all are welcome to attend.
What’s your fondest memory of Veronica?
What’s a lesson you learned from Veronica?
Share a story where Veronica's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Veronica you’ll never forget.
How did Veronica make you smile?