Miller, Joan

WILTON, Conn. — Joan Elizabeth Miller (nee Farrell) was born in Indian Lake, N.Y. and died in Wilton, Conn. on April 7, 2022. She was 92 years old.

She was proud of her Irish heritage and her careers as a registered nurse and an elementary school teacher. Her verbal skills were legendary, and she loved music and dogs.

After graduating from Indian Lake Central School in 1947 and from The College of Saint Rose in Albany with a B.S. in nursing in 1951, she married William J. Miller Jr. in 1952 and moved with him to Binghamton, and later Armonk, N.Y., where he worked for IBM. They had four children, Michael Miller (Gail Ludin) of Indian Lake, N.Y., Kevin Miller (Alice Penrose) of Ann Arbor, Mich. Colleen Miller Rumsey (Stuart Rumsey) of Westport, Conn., and Brian Miller of Albany.

When her youngest child reached school age, Joan returned to work as a school nurse. She received a master’s degree in education from Manhattanville College, and became an elementary school teacher in the Byram Hills school district.

Following retirement in 1989, Joan and Bill moved to Norwalk, Conn. After rehabilitation from a fall in 2015, she entered the Brookdale of Wilton community. Joan was always appreciative of the kindness and caring of the Brookdale staff.

Joan is survived by her children, grandchildren, Ruth Miller (Andre Deckrow) of St. Paul, Minn., Erin Rumsey (Dane Mannina) of New Orleans, and Sean Rumsey of Westport, Conn.; and greatgrandchildren, Oscar Penrose Kobayashi Deckrow of St. Paul, Minn. and Marcus Aurelius Rumsey of New Orleans. She is also survived by one brother, Francis Brian Farrell of Indian Lake, N.Y.; and two sisters, Nancy Sargent of North Creek, N. Y. and Margaret Lofthouse of Venice, Fla. as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their children. Joan was predeceased by her parents, Francis and Helen Farrell; her brothers, Peter Farrell, Patrick Farrell, J. Michael "Mickey" Farrell, and John Timothy "JT" Farrell; her sisters, Helen Marie Farrell and Sheila Arsenault; and by her beloved husband of 53 years, William.

A wake will be held at the Miller Funeral Home in Indian Lake, N.Y. on May 12, between 5 and 7 p.m. Her funeral Mass will be in St. Mary’s Church in Indian Lake on May 13 at 10 a.m., followed by burial services at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Indian Lake.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joan’s memory to: The College of Saint Rose, 432 Western Ave., Albany, NY, 12203.