BERNADETTE MILLER

Bernadette Cecelia Miller passed away on Mother's Day at Oakridge Gardens Nursing Center in Menasha. She resided there since a stroke in August, 2012. "Birdie," as she was known to friends and family, was born in the small lumber town of Hermansville, MI, July 11, 1926. She was the first of three children born to Francis and Bernadette "Cecelia" Zimmerman. She had one younger brother, Francis "Junior," and a younger sister, Joyce, with whom she also shared a lifelong friendship. She and Joyce moved to the Fox River Valley as young, single women. Birdie worked in the secretarial pool at Marathon Corporation. On September 9, 1953 she married William "Bill" Miller, Neenah's first Park and Recreation Director. They raised two children; Linda and Scott in the City of Neenah which Birdie dearly loved. Although she never lost her affection for the wildflowers of her upper Michigan youth. Or its wildlife; especially the little feathered ones. Birdie volunteered as a pink lady at Theda Clark Hospital in the gift shop, and later for the Neenah Public Library, which held a very special place in her heart. She was an avid reader. One of the past directors said of her, "She read every book in the place at least twice." In 1995 she was honored to be named their Volunteer of the Year. In later years she became a very dedicated volunteer from Brother Regis and the Salvatorian Mission Warehouse in New Holstein. Packing supplies for relief efforts in some of the poorest, most war-torn countries in Africa. Along with her parents, Birdie was preceded in death by her husband, Bill. He passed before they could travel to all the beautiful places they longed to see together. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Francis. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Miller, and granddaughter, Genna Mosurinjohn. As well as her son, Scott Miller, and three grandsons: William, Louis, and Sam. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Joyce Laurin; by her sister-of-honor, Ina Rasmussen; as well as her loving nieces and nephews and their families. She bids farewell to a wonderful circle of friends collectively cherished as "the card club;" to neighbors still, Mary Dell and Dave and their families; and to her fellow volunteers at the Mission Warehouse. With a special nod to niece Pat Hawley for acts of kindness beyond measure in these final two difficult years. A Memorial Service for Birdie will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of service. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Birdie's name may be made to the Neenah Public Library or to Salvatorian Mission Warehouse. Birdie's final chapter was spent in the compassionate care of the Oakridge Gardens Staff; to whom her loved ones are deeply grateful.