Miller, Valerie Anne (Kirkup)

Valerie Anne Kirkup was born in Glasgow Scotland to Philip & Marigold Kirkup on February 2nd, 1944, and passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on April 30th, 2017. Valerie lived briefly in Glasgow with her parents, moving to Sunderland in northeast England until the end of WWII. The family moved to Kenton, a London suburb, where she completed her high school education and was then accepted at Charing Cross Hospital, a leading London teaching hospital where she completed her training as a Nurse with honors. She worked at Charing Cross until 1967, when she moved to Dallas, Texas where her cousin’s family lived. Valerie worked several years as an ICU nurse at Dallas Presbyterian Hospital before her 1974 acceptance and enrollment at Trinity University, where she graduated in 1976 with a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration and was one of only three women in her 40member class.

During Valerie’s 26-year career with Presbyterian Healthcare System, Valerie served in hospital administration positions at Presbyterian & Kaseman Hospitals in Albuquerque, Lincoln County Medical Center [LCMC] in Ruidoso & in Quality Management oversight at the corporate offices of PHS. While in Ruidoso, Valerie & the selfless, dedicated LCMC medical staff were honored as one of the "Top 100 Small Hospitals in America", an accomplishment celebrated by the entire community. Valerie was married to Donald D. Miller in 1988, and during their 29 years of marriage they made their home in Albuquerque, Ruidoso and Hendersonville, North Carolina before returning to Albuquerque in 2013. Valerie is survived by her husband Don, stepchildren Janelle Miller Johnson [Phil] and Jay-Alan Miller; grandchildren Cynthia Jennice Cote’ [Marley] and Jay Kory Johnson [Kristen]; great-grandchild Louis Marcel Cote’; and cousins Brenda Berrisford and Lynne Petrie. Valerie was cherished by family and friends alike, for her impeccable manners, quick wit, strong work ethic and her special gift as a selfless and compassionate listener who truly heard what was being spoken.

A memorial service to celebrate Valerie’s life will be held on Tuesday, May 9th, 2017 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church at 215 Locust Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to Presbyterian Home Hospice Care, Animal Humane Association of New Mexico, or the charity of your choice.