Geraldine Miller Memorial Charitable Endowment

Charitable Endowment Established in Memory of Geraldine Miller

A new permanent charitable endowment has been established by family and friends in loving memory of Geraldine H. (Gerrie) Miller, aged 94 who recently passed from this world from natural causes at her home in Pleasant Hill, California. Gerrie, a long-time Pleasant Hill resident, was a native of Queens, New York, born in 1927 to Richard and Jessie Haglund. As a young woman, she worked on Wall Street as a secretary. Her marriage to Ed Miller, a former Navy Seabee, and the raising of four sons interrupted her work life for a time. They moved early on to the clean and woodsy suburbs of Emerson, New Jersey, and a house of their own in which to pursue the American Dream! This happy time lasted till the mid 1960’s when, gripped by the spirit of adventure, all six Millers plus a large dog piled into a VW Microbus, and headed west through National Parks and many campsites, eventually ending up in the Hawaiian Islands for three years. In 1968 the family headed back to the mainland and ended up in Pleasant Hill, where Ed and Gerrie lived out their days, with Ed passing away in 1980.

Gerrie, notably, among other things went back to school and eventually received her Master’s degree in Counselling from Cal State, Hayward, subsequently getting employed as a substance abuse counselor with the VA hospital in Martinez and eventually transitioning to private practice. Gerrie was loved by many people for her ability to bring a gentle and personal approach to her work and personal life making each person, no matter what age, feel safe and important and the center of her attention and concern. Gerrie was also a dog lover, and was known for her amazing ability to keep old, sick and infirm animals alive long past their normal lifespan. She was a healer to all in her purview. Gerrie was full of fun, and took every chance to celebrate something or someone! She loved to sing and dance and enjoyed a Rye Manhattan, on special occasions or a glass of red wine now and then. She was a great story teller, and the life of the party! Her high spirits were contagious, and those around her found themselves elevated by her buoyant spirit! She was truly a remarkable woman, who lived through the Great Depression, WWII, raising four sons, the death of her husband, grandson, and numerous beloved pets, and every nuance life can throw at a person. Hers is a life worth celebrating!!

The Geraldine Miller Memorial Charitable Endowment will honor Gerrie’s memory for many generations to come and continue her legacy of caring by providing support to charities and organizations that were close to her heart, especially those serving children and animals. Contributions are always welcome to help enhance the value of the endowment and thus its continuing ability to provide welcome assistance to Gerrie’s causes. Donations may be mailed to The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains at 270 Lake Avenue in Montrose, PA 18801 or made online at www.community-foundation.org. Gerrie would most likely tip a glass, smile, and exclaim “Cheers! Well done!”