Mary Elizabeth Rodney Miller

Mary Elizabeth Rodney Miller passed away on November 5, 2018 at Remembrance Home in Beaver Dam Wisconsin, where she resided since February 2013. Mary was 102 years young. Formerly a resident of Huntingdon, PA, Mary was the wife of Donald A. Miller. Mary was a lifelong educator, church and community volunteer, and gardening enthusiast. She had 4 children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Mary lived a long and rich life due to her love of life, family, and friends. Born June 26, 1916 in Philadelphia, PA to John Thomas Rodney and Lucy Carolina Gehringer, Mary Elizabeth Rodney grew up in northwestern Philadelphia. She earned a B.S., in Elementary Education from West Chester University, and her Masters in Curriculum and Supervision from Columbia University in New York City. She taught in elementary schools in Media, PA and Wrightstown, N.J. On March 23, 1946 she married Donald A. Miller, and in 1950 moved to Huntingdon, PA., where she taught first grade at Brady Henderson Elementary School in Mill Creek, PA. She was a reading specialist at Huntingdon Area Middle School and an Elementary Education instructor for nine years at Juniata College. Mary was also active in the Huntingdon Presbyterian Church, as a Sunday school teacher, Elder, on several Presbytery committees, as a Synod School teacher, and Council member on state and and national levels. She accompanied a group from The Partnership in Youth Mission to Sitka, Alaska as a Youth Advisor. She loved to travel nationally and internationally. Mary was a compassionate, caring, outgoing, vivacious, and giving person, who loved to bake and entertain her friends. Her laugh was contagious and people enjoyed their friendship. She crafted many beautiful wood carved pieces and made jewelry while in high school! She enjoyed painting with oils, designing clothes, needle point and cross stitched artwork. She was also active in local organizations, serving as past President of the Standing Stone Garden Club, Chairman of the PA State Landscape consultants, President of District V Garden Club Landscape, and member of the Huntingdon Borough Tree Commission. She earned the title of Master Landscape Consultant through the Garden Club Federation of PA. Mary also served as past President of the Iota Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma and of the Standing Stone Embroiderers Guild. Children are: Susan Louise Miller of Lock Haven, Cynthia Jane Miller and her husband Randall Uhler of Emmaus, PA, and Rodney Donald Miller and his wife Kimberly (Manspeaker) Miller of Beaver Dam, WI. Grandchildren are: Betsy Uhler Colombo of Los Angeles, CA, Lauren Uhler of Austin, TX, Rodney Uhler of Brooklyn, NY, Brittney Loftus of Carpenter, IA and Mackenzie Miller of Riviera Beach FL; and great-grandchildren Erika Peck of Carpenter, IA and Indiana Randall Colombo of Los Angeles, CA. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, a brother H. Alfred Rodney, her husband Donald, and her daughter Kathleen Elaine Miller of Williamsport, PA. A Memorial Service will be held in the future in Huntingdon, PA. A private Interment will be held at the Huntingdon Memorial Gardens at Huntingdon, PA In lieu of flowers, memorials in remembrance of Mary may be made to the Beaver Dam Community Hospital Foundation restricted for the Bird and Pet Therapy Program for senior services. Their address is 707 S. University Ave, Beaver Dam, WI 53916. Or to the Education Department of the Presbyterian Church, 508 Mifflin St., Huntingdon, PA 16652. The family would like to extend a deep and sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff at the BDCH Eagle Wings and Remembrance Home. The loving care Mary received for the last 5 years truly enriched the end of her life. She loved the staff and they loved her. A blessing shared by all.