Jean Chandler Miller of New York City, formerly of Darien, died peacefully at home Saturday, Dec. 12, at the age of 86.
Image by Willie Wax on Wikimedia Commons
Image by Willie Wax on Wikimedia Commons
She was born March 10, 1929, in Brooklyn, the daughter of the late Walter and Ethel Chandler. She was the beloved wife of Lewis A. Miller for almost 66 years, the mother of David Chandler Miller of Darien (wife Nina) and of Kathryn Ann Miller of Riverdale, the Bronx, and grandmother of Coleman Chandler Miller Esq. of Brooklyn and Caleb Miller Zalaznick, a junior at McGill University, Montreal.
She was the loving aunt of Jean Ferguson of Seattle, Bruce Fergusson of Edmonds, WA, Faith Miller and Jonathan Miller of New York City, and Timothy Miller of Ridgewood NJ.
Jean was a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College in 1988, through its Continuing Education program, and provided a community room for students at the Continuing Education Center after her graduation.
She became a successful investor in the stock market for her own account, was skillful at needlepoint and gardening, and loved and raised boxers. As a member of the First Congregational Church of Darien, she taught Sunday school, chaired the Women’s Association and the Board of Deacons, and headed the church Christmas Corner.
As a volunteer, she worked in the eviction mediation program of Person-to-Person, a Darien nonprofit; and for the Community Council of Darien. Her philanthropy included these organizations as well as the Workplace in Bridgeport, helping people gain workplace skills as well as jobs; the New York Common Pantry, the Coalition for the Homeless in New York, and more.
She was a member of Christ Church Methodist, New York City. Memorial services will be held at the Darien Congregational Church, Post Road at Brookside Road, at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17 and at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 21 at Christ Church Methodist, Park Avenue at 60th St., where she was a member.
Gifts in her memory may be made to Sarah Lawrence College, 1 Mead Way, Bronxville, NY 10708, or Person-to-Person, 1864 Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820.