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Barbara Miller

March 3, 1938 - July 24, 2014
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Friday, August 8, 2014
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Service

Friday, August 8, 2014
2:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Humane Society of West Michigan
3077 Wilson Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Although Barbara Miller enriched her life in numerous ways doing the things she enjoyed, everything was better when shared with the ones she loved. She was social and outgoing, independent and strong with a vibrant zest for life that was contagious to those around her. Barbara was a devoted mother if ever there was one, but she just may have argued that being a grandmother was the role of a lifetime as her grandchildren put the sparkle in her eye like no one else could. Life was not without times of trial for her, but Barb was equipped with a graceful courage that was inspiring to those around her. Life will never be the same without her here, but her timeless legacy will be carried on by those who follow her.

Despite the abundant hardship present during the trying days of the Great Depression throughout the 1930s, the American spirit, although weary, could not be broken. The New York landscape changed with the completions of both the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building during this time, and the festivities of the holidays were kicked off with the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Amidst this eventful time was the year 1938 that was filled with great anticipation for a young couple from Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they eagerly awaited the birth of their second child. The big day finally arrived when the baby girl they named Barbara Kay was born on March 3, 1938. She was the younger of two children born to her parents, Robert and Zoa (Gregory) Fisher, and she was raised in the family home alongside her older brother, Lawrence.

In many ways Barb experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of her generation. Her father supported the family as the owner of a local bowling alley while her mother worked as a cook both in the cafeteria at East Grand Rapids High School and also at Hub’s Bar and Grill. As a student Barb attended the local elementary school and continued on to Central High School where she loved to dance in the high school group. In fact, she loved dancing and did so whenever she could. Barb went on to graduate from high school in 1956.

New and exciting changes were in store for Barb when she met the young man of her dreams. His name was Richard Miller, and they met while attending a wedding. Sparks flew right from the start, and the two began dating. With a desire to establish a life together Barb and Richard were married on February 2, 1957. As a young newlywed he owned a Gulf service station while Barb took a job at Lear Siegler. She later worked at Bill Knapp’s Restaurant. They initially settled into a place on Mason Street, NE, and they later moved to a home on El Camino, NW.

Life truly began for Barb when she and her husband became the parents of two wonderful children, Cheryl and Michael. As a family they enjoyed doing things together. Sometimes during the summer they took a camping trip or two, and they were also members of the Elk’s Country Club. Through the years they attended several events there. In addition to doing things as a family, Barb and Richard were a very social couple with numerous friends who they enjoyed doing things with.

Tragedy struck for Barb and her children when Richard was tragically killed while they were on a family snowmobiling excursion, and he came to the aid of a snowmobiler in distress on March 10, 1971. She and her children relocated to Traverse City where she lived for the following 20 years. There, she worked as a real estate agent and also at Grand Traverse Circuit Court for 15 years.

In her free time Barb was one to keep busy. She had her own creative flair and loved doing various arts and crafts as well as ceramics. Over the years Barb made several gifts for family and friends. In addition, she loved to sew and often made teddy bears. Barb was filled with unspeakable joy to become a grandmother, and she loved nothing more than being with her grandchildren. She never missed even one of their special events. One of the things Barb loved most was watching Disney movies with her grandchildren that were chosen from her extensive collection of Disney movies as she owned nearly every one. She even went to Disney World on a family trip with them.

After 20 years in Traverse City, Barb returned to Grand Rapids and moved into Mapleton Condos in the Dean Lake area. She continued to maintain her active and independent lifestyle for as long as she could despite being diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disease. Eventually Barb needed more care, which brought her to the Christian Rest Home three years ago where she received the compassionate care she needed. She quickly came to know and love the wonderful staff there.

The love Barbara Miller had for her family was never-ending, but her love reached far beyond just her immediate family as it extended to several others like her nieces, nephews, and friends. With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around her, Barb created a brilliantly colored mosaic of memories that will be a lasting treasure for years to come. She will never be forgotten.

Barbara (Fisher) Kay Miller, aged 76 of Grand Rapids and Traverse City, passed away at the Christian Rest Home on Thursday, July 24, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Miller in 1971. She is survived by her children, Cheryl and Brad Savage, Mike and Kathryn Miller; her grandchildren, Sydney Savage, Katie Miller, Evan Miller and Spencer Savage. Her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ann and Dick Beukema; many nieces, nephews and friends. Barb was a loving and dedicated, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and a friend to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. Cremation has taken place. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Friday, August 8, 2014, at 2:00 PM, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. in Grand Rapids.Visitation at the funeral home on Friday from 1:00 PM until the service begins. Burial in Rosedale Cemetery. Contributions o in her memory may be made to the Humane Society of West Michigan.To read more about Barb’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com.

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