Carolyn Chase Dale Miller, 88, of Darien died on Sunday, March 30. Surrounded by family, she passed away peacefully from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.
Carolyn Miller, 88, died March 30. Her funeral will be in Darien on April 10.
Born in New York City on Aug. 31, 1936, Carolyn grew up in Peekskill, New York, and graduated from Peekskill High School with honors. She attended Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia, where she was an avid equestrian and member of the university’s field hockey and fencing teams.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1958, Carolyn moved to New York and began her career in research at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research.
In 1961 she married her husband of 27 years, Ross, and shortly thereafter moved to Darien.
A 61-year resident of Darien, she spent her life actively involved in many aspects of the community. She met many life-long friends through her involvement with the Darien Women’s Republican Association, serving on the board of the YWCA and Newcomers groups, and the St. Martha’s Guild at St. Luke’s Parish.
An elected official for the Town of Darien, Carolyn proudly served as the Republican Registrar of Voters for 14 years and the Tax Collector for 12 years.
One of her proudest community projects, Carolyn was instrumental in establishing the Darien High School Varsity Boys Lacrosse program in 1982. Through fundraising efforts, acting as team manager and appealing to the Board of Education, Carolyn spearheaded the creation of the varsity program that thrives today.
Carolyn loved the outdoors and was competitive in racquet sports and particularly loved the game of golf. Some of her favorite recreational time was spent on a golf course with friends, family and her beloved grandchildren.
Carolyn had a great appreciation for family history and genealogy. A Mayflower descendant of Stephen Hopkins, John Howland and Elizabeth Tilley, she was a lifelong member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants of New York, as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution through her relation to Obadiah Chase.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Victoria Miller Smith and Gregory Campbell Smith, and her daughter-in-law, Hillary Bachmann Miller. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Amanda Chase Miller, Dale Edward Miller Jr, Spencer Campbell Smith and Lindsay Hopkins Smith. Carolyn was predeceased by her husband, Ross Arnold Miller, her son Dale Edward Miller, her brothers Calvin and Malcolm Dale, and her parents, Elsie Tennant Dale and Calvin Denike Dale.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 10, 2025 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1864 Post Road, Darien. Carolyn was a lifelong pianist and lover of classical music; in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to the St. Luke’s Parish Friends of Music Organ Restoration Project, St. Luke’s Church.
— an obituary from Lawrence Funeral Home where online condolences may be left