Frances Miller

Frances Lee Miller (nee Moore) was born in Flint, Michigan in 1943 to Frances and Earl Moore. She grew up in Davison with her four sisters, Cecilia (David Morris), Sue Weidman, Kathy Breckenridge, and Bonnie Boismier.

She grew up in Davison with her four sisters, Cecilia (David Morris), Sue Weidman, Kathy Breckenridge, and Bonnie Boismier. After attending Mott Community College and then Michigan State University, Fran attended the University of California Berkley where she received her Master's degree and became a Registered Dietitian. She moved back to Michigan, living in Detroit and working at Pontiac General Hospital as a dietitian. In Detroit, she joined the International Supper Club where she met the love of her life, Jerry Miller. They were married in 1969 and eventually moved to Ortonville, Michigan to live on a lovely little lake, and start their family. In 1976, Fran was hired as an assistant professor at Ferris State College in Big Rapids, Michigan where she worked for 17 years. As a professor, she helped write the nutrition element of the Michigan Model for Education and served as the grievance chair for the teacher's union. She was also incredibly active in the Big Rapids International Folk Dance Club (started and led by her husband, Jerry), was a leader for Recovery International, and helped with all of her kids' activities: leading cub scouts, sewing costumes for plays and musicals, becoming president of the Big Rapids Community Swim Team, helping with school debate club, etc. She never missed a game or a performance of her husband and kids.

After her children married and moved out of town, Fran took a buy-out from Ferris. After a short stint of working for Head Start and living in Detroit again, Fran and Jerry moved to their final beloved home in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she worked for Community Health in their WIC and MSSISS program (a program supporting low-income mothers and their children) until she retired. There, she added volunteering for the Democratic Party to her list of activities, as well as weekly visits to the local library, a season's pass to see musicals at the Miller with her husband, board game nights with her friends, and many quiet, peaceful days by her pool, surrounded by flowers and reading her favorite books.

Frances was a Renaissance woman, knowing something about everything and a lot about many things. Not only an avid reader, she sought out knowledge in all forms and soaked it up like a sponge. A brilliant woman, she was also a kind and patient teacher. She was an excellent seamstress and gardener, loved cooking, camping, canoeing, listening to music, sitting with her cat, and watching the birds. She was blessed to have had many wonderful vacations with Jerry and, sometimes, her kids and grandkids. She especially loved Hawaii and Disney. Mostly, though, what she loved was her family. She gave every one of them the impression that they were the most important person in the world to her, just as she was to us. She had a huge and wonderful impact on this world and will be terribly missed.

Fran was predeceased by her parents and sisters. She is survived by her husband Jerry, daughter Laura (John), son Scott, and five grandchildren: Nathaniel, Nicholas, John Paul, Katie, and Skye.

Her celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Grand Ledge, Michigan, 210 West Saginaw St, Grand Ledge MI 48837 at 11am, with a visitation at 10am. A meal will immediately follow the funeral. Arrangements by the Holihan-Atkin-Barclay Funeral Home, Grand Ledge. Share your memories and condolences online at www.holihanatkin.com