January 28, 2012

Marjorie Brigham Miller

BERLIN - Marjorie Brigham Miller, 89, of Berlin died Jan. 28, 2012, with family by her bedside.

Born Feb. 22, 1922, in Washington, D.C.; the daughter of Reuben and Marjorie (Snowden) Brigham. Graduating with a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland School of Nursing in 1944, she continued her nursing career until retiring in 1986. On July 18, 1944, she married Robert Whitley Miller at her parents' home in Sandy Spring, Md. Their life together was spent in New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts and eventually settling in Vermont in 1960. Marjorie and Robert were married for 42 years prior to his death July 25, 1986. She also served as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps in the U.S. Army 1944-1945, stationed in the Philippines. Her nursing career spanned 42 years in many areas of hospital nursing including working in the first intensive care unit at the now Fletcher Allen Health Care to nursing supervisor at Central Vermont Medical Center from its opening in 1968 until 1986. Her family, profession and encouraging young people were always important to her. She is remembered for her kind words, positive outlook, high professional standards, talent as a mentor and teacher to those she worked with and the ability to add humor to most any situation.

Later in life, her days were spent writing, reading, gardening, knitting, hand-quilting, enjoying hearing about the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren and living each day with the belief of "make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes."

She is survived by her children: Robert Miller and wife Gail Pataky, of Charlottesville, Va., Anne Wall and husband Jonathan Wall, of Ely, Nev., Margaret Whittaker and husband Kenneth Whittaker, of Wenham, Mass., Stephen Miller and wife Cynthia Johnson, of Calais, Frank Miller, of New York City, Christine Koonz and husband Jeff Koonz, of Middlesex, Richard Miller, of Middlesex; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many close nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her husband, Robert Miller, and her three brothers.

A memorial service will take place in July 2012. Memorial contributions will be used to establish a scholarship in her name for a U-32 High School student entering the nursing profession. Donations may be sent c/o Chris Koonz, 273 East Hill Road, Middlesex, VT 05602.

Published in Times Argus on February 18, 2012

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