Sally Miller

Sally Miller passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 8, 2008, with her family at her side. She was 74. Sally was born in 1934 in Hemlock, Ohio. Sally?s mother Opal moved to Southern California in 1940, bringing Sally and her older sister Thea to the West Coast. Sally?s sister Sue was born in 1945 in Hollywood, and the family settled in Compton. Sally was a high school junior when she went on a blind date and met Chuck Miller, who was a college student at the time. The two married on June 3, 1953, and a year later moved to Europe where Chuck was stationed with the US Army. They lived in Germany before a transfer brought them to the small French town of Beaugency, two hours south of Paris, where their first son David was born in 1955. They returned to Los Angeles, where Chuck took up studies at UCLA. Their time in France made a deep and lasting impression on Sally, and from that experience was born a life-long love of France, and she made many friends on both sides of the Atlantic that endured her entire life. Sally gave birth to second son, Douglas, in 1959, and in 1960 the family of four moved from Los Angeles to Northern California, living briefly in Danville before settling in Walnut Creek. As her sons grew older, Sally decided to follow her father?s footsteps and become a teacher, developing her love of France and her gifts as an educator into a career as a French teacher. She enrolled in UC Berkeley, and graduated with a degree in French and English in 1966. After the family moved to Livermore in 1969, Sally found a job at Amador High School in Pleasanton, where she taught French and English for many years, retiring in 1993. Over the span of her 24 year teaching career, Sally left the classroom at times for other interests, including a two year stay in Washington DC for a work assignment for Chuck, when Sally worked as an assistant to Congressman Pete Stark. This was fascinating for Sally, a life-long learner, and gave her an insider?s view into Washington politics and policies. After returning to Livermore, she also worked as an administrator at Ohlone College and back in the High School classroom before her retirement. Once retired, Sally had more time to devote to her passions, including birding, camping trips (especially to Yosemite, which always held a special place for her), and, of course, France and Europe. For many years, she led groups on very personal tours of some of her favorite spots in France, usually with tour assistant Chuck in tow. Many of her friends eagerly looked forward to these trips every year, and her skill as a teacher allowed her to effortlessly impart a love of France in those lucky enough to join these tours. Her travels also took her to Africa, Asia, and frequently to Hawaii. She had a tremendous zest for life, and loved music, food, wine, nature, and enjoyed rich and rewarding friendships. In the past two years, she was blessed by knowing Hal Norris, whose love brought richness , joy, and affectionate companionship. Sally and Hal were engaged to be married at the time of her passing. Sally was preceded in death by her husband Chuck, sister Thea, and is survived by sons David and Douglas Miller, their wives Sandra and Julie, grandchildren Kai, Ryo, Tallulah, and Emerson. She also leaves her deeply loved fiance Hal Norris, cherished sister Suzanne Grissom, nephew William Dennis, niece Kristin Ruley, and many loving relatives and friends. A memorial service celebrating Sally?s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 14, 2008, at Callaghan Mortuary at 3833 East Avenue in Livermore. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1390 Market Street, Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94102, or the National Audubon Society, Ohlone Chapter, 1922 Hillsdale Street, Hayward, CA 94541.