Elizabeth E. Miller

HERKIMER - Elizabeth E. Miller, age 93, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, with her lo ving daughter by her side.

She was born on D ecember 3, 1925 in Little Falls, daughter of late Ea rl A. and Sarah Forsyth English. She was raised in Herkimer and was a g raduate of Herkimer Central School, class of 1944 .

On July 31, 1954, she was united in marriage to Gordon R. Miller in the First Baptist Church, Herkimer. They shared a loving and devoted union of 38 years until his passing on July 18, 1992. They made their home in Mohawk. The n mov ing to Medina, for a short time , before r eturning to Herkimer.

After high school she began working for the NY Telephone Company as a telephone operator.   She worked for the Medina Central School District.  She later worked as a teachers' aide at Mohawk Elementary School retiring in 1990.

Mrs. Miller had a strong faith in God and for 77 years was a devoted m ember of the First Baptist Church in Herkimer . She was member of the M & M Circle, 100% Class and served as a Deacon of the church.  In more recent years, she was a member of the Ilion Baptist Church.

For seventy-five years, Betty was an active member of the Evening Star Valley Chapter #82 Or der of Eastern Star. She was at one time a a den mother, a girl scout leader, an d served as the regional cookie chair for five years. She was a Volunteered with Herkimer County Hospice and Meals on Wheels. Betty enjoyed swimming at the Little Falls YMCA and bowling at the Herkimer Masonic Temple. In her leisure time she loved to travel, traveling throughout the United States and Canada with her family.  After retirement she traveled with friends throughout the western United States, Alaska, England, Scotland, Ireland, and British Columbia.  She had a great love for the out of doors , especially camping and canoeing in the Adirondacks. She enjoyed reading, watching sports, and doing word searches as well as watching baseball, basketball, football, and hockey on television.

One of her passions was knitting , often helping novice knitters to learn the craft.  During high school as a member of the Junior Red Cross, she knitted scarves for the war effort.  She knitted sweaters, mittens and baby afghans for multi-generations of friends and family members.

Surviving are her daughter, Constance and her husband, John R. Filzen of Cortland , her son, David Miller and his wife, Lorna of Silverthrone, Colorado, a granddaughter, Emma Rose ( Calvin Heslop) of Fairbanks Alaska, her sister-in-law, Margaret English, many nieces, nephews, grand nieces , grand nephews, great grandnieces great grand n ephews and  cousins .

Besides her parents and husband, Gordon, she was preceded in death by her brother, James W. English and uncle Lynn English .

The family will be present in Fenner Funeral Home, 115 Court Street, Herkimer to receive relatives and friend s on Sunday from 4:00 until 7:00 pm.  A funeral service will follow in the funeral home at 7:00 pm. Interment will be in Mohawk Cemetery on Monday at 12:00 noon .

All members of Evening Star Valley Chapter #82 Order of the Eastern S t ar are asked to meet at 4:00 pm in the funeral home for ritualistic service s. .

The family wishes to thank Dr. Jennifer Mouriz and the nurses on the 3rd and 4th floor at Bassett Medical Center.  They would especially like to thank Betty's niece, Karen Rankins and Lois Sinchak , for all the kindness and devotion they provided Betty throughout the years.

Expressions of sympathy may be made with donations to the Friends of Bassett , 1 Atwell Place, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or a charity of your choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.