Obituary of Ethel Stone Miller

ETHEL LOUISE STONE MILLER ETHEL LOUISE STONE MILLER died quietly in her sleep March 7, 2009 at Panorama in Lacey, WA at age 98. Her mind and spirit were strong and vital until the very end. She was blessed with a long and remarkable life. Ethel was born in Toledo, WA on December 26, 1910 to Kate and Otho Stone. She had three brothers, Harold Riley (1906), Loren Brenton (1909), and Clarence Dillon (1913). During her childhood the family lived in Bremerton and Olympia before settling in Seattle in 1920. Ethel graduated from Lincoln High in 1928 and from the University of Washington in 1933 with a degree in Sociology. She was a member of Sigma Iota Chapter of Kappa Delta Sorority and its president in her senior year. At that time the country was in the midst of the Great Depression and jobs were scarce. Fortunately Ethel had opportunities to work part time and to travel, visiting friends and family on the West Coast and in Honolulu. She then accepted a full time position in Philadelphia, and in route to the East Coast, went by ship through the Panama Canal, with stops in Acapulco and Cuba. On her return trip to Washington State a few years later, she and her brother, Loren, drove across country. It was her sixth crossing from coast to coast. While in Pennsylvania, she met her future husband, William (Bill) Windle Miller. They married August 29, 1941 in Seattle, where Bill went to work for Boeing. They had three children; daughter Sallie Kate (1942), and sons, William Frederick (1944), and Dale Carter (1949). During the mid to late 1940s the family lived in Idaho, Colorado and then Utah. In 1952 they moved to Federal Way and Bill went back to work at Boeing. During the years there, Bill and Ethel were involved in many community activities, including the founding of Wayside Congregational Church, now known as the United Church of Christ. Ethel was active in the local pottery and garden clubs and Bill bowled, fished, and played golf. In 1973 Bill retired. Shortly thereafter they purchased a winter home in Indio, California where they enjoyed the desert climate. In December of 1980, Bill passed away suddenly, which devastated Ethel. The consolation of friends and family helped her go on. After Bill’s death, Ethel continued as a “snowbird”, living in Federal Way during the summer and Indio the rest of the year. She also traveled by cruise ship, visiting Japan and Mexico. In 1987, she settled into life at Panorama and continued her travels with memorable trips to Alaska, Hawaii, Norway and the South Pacific. In 1994, at the age of 84, she took her first flight to Hawaii for a family wedding. Ethel lived very independently until age 94. When her health declined she moved into the Convalescent & Rehabilitation Center (C&R) at Panorama. The last few years were difficult for her. This once strong, vibrant, energetic and still intelligent woman did not take kindly to being confined to her bed by a failing body. However, Ethel fought for and appreciated each day she lived, and came to call the C&R “home”. She is survived by her three children: Kate M. Rambo (Forrest) of Port Townsend; William F. Miller of Deer Lodge, MT; and Dale C. Miller (Audrey) of Federal Way; her nine grandchildren: Jennifer L. Barretto, Bethany W. Lumsden, William F. Miller Jr., Rachel M. Lanigan, Craig A. Croxen, Jacquelyn Broderick, Kristy-Ann Long, Klayton Sheldon, and Carrie M. Bosch; plus 21 great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren, and eight nieces and nephews. All feel the loss of their family matriarch and an extraordinary lady. At Ethel’s request there will be no formal services. Her family will gather in Federal Way on May 23, 2009 to celebrate her life. If you wish to join us, please call Dale at 253-839-4843 or Kate at 360-379-2657. “Go in peace, dear one. May there be beauty and a world beyond that speaks to your mind and gives comfort to your soul.” kmr * * * To leave a condolence, click on View Guestbook below: