Shirley H. Miller, 90, a lifetime Grays Harbor resident passed away on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at Ella’s Adult Family Home of Lacey, Washington.
Shirley was born on July 11, 1932, to parents Sigurd and Hildur (Ogren) West in Aberdeen, Washington. She was raised in Grayland, Washington. She attended the local school where she met Francis Miller.
They later married and had six children. After the children were born, Shirley became a homemaker, happily raising her family. Her husband was a fisherman, and they raised their family in Grayland and Westport, Washington as well as Cordova, Alaska.
Shirley and Francis Miller later divorced.
Shirley then moved to Cle Elum, Washington for a short time before moving to Fort Yukon, Alaska where she became the business manager of the school district. In 1978, she returned to Grays Harbor settling in Aberdeen, Washington. She attended Grays Harbor College, completing certificates in business. She then opened Harbor Vocational Services and ran the business for 12 years, closing the doors, and retiring at the age of 68.
Shirley was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star of Hoquiam, Washington. She enjoyed taking trips to the casino and traveling. She was able to take trips to Florida, New Zealand, Scandinavia and Australia. She also took several Caribbean cruises with her family. Shirley also enjoyed watching Mariners games and clam digging on local beaches. Her greatest joys were family, no matter what activities she was doing, Shirley was always with her family.
Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Sigurd and Hildur West; sons, Tom, Larry and Gary Miller; daughter-in-law Teresa Miller; sister Violet Peterson and brother-in-law Walter Peterson.
Shirley is survived by her children, Dick Miller, Ron Miller and Sherry Miller, all of Olympia, Washington; sister Jeanne Chancellor and her husband Gerald of Aberdeen, Washington, five grandchildren: Diane Croteau, Michelle Miller, Jamie Radke and husband Kevin, Garrett Miller and Brandon Miller; three great-grandchildren: Jaiden Miller, and Joseph and Cecelia Croteau; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service will be held Saturday, Oct. 15 at Fern Hill Cemetery in Aberdeen. Service arrangements have been entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. at the Aberdeen Elks Lodge.
