PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. – Barbara C. Miller, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, has departed this life and entered the kingdom of heaven Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, after succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease. Barbara was born May 4, 1935, in Medford, Mass., to Mahlon D. and Doris (Butman) Crouse.

She graduated from Reading High School, Reading, Mass., and became a registered nurse in 1956 after graduating from New England Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, Boston. She married the love of her life, John P. Miller, Sept. 8, 1956, and practiced nursing in Boston until the birth of their first child. Barbara was a devoted wife and mother and spent 13 years at home in Southbridge, Mass., and Bangor, as her children grew. In 1970, she returned to nursing and developed the student health care program at Husson College, Bangor. After moving to Middletown, Conn., in 1981, she became a visiting nurse, as a certified hospice nurse, serving the surrounding community until her retirement in 1994. She was ordained deacon in the Episcopal church in 1991. She was one of the earliest women to be ordained as a deacon and together, she and her husband, lovingly served God and many parishioners at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Middletown, Conn. She was blessed with many gifts and her family and friends were blessed to have and be loved by her. In 1994, she and her husband retired to their home in Wayne. They served at the altar of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Readfield, and St. Mark’s, Waterville, where they served during the parish priest’s sabbatical. In 2004, Barbara and her husband moved to Pawleys Island, S.C., after three years of wintering there. Their worship together continued at Holy Cross/Faith Memorial, Pawleys Island, S.C., until her diagnosis. She lived bravely, graciously and gracefully despite the ravages of her disease. Her love and support for her family were unfaltering even as she progressed.

In addition to her husband of 56 years, John, Barbara will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by one daughter, Robin Johnson and husband, Joe, of Waterville; three sons, Geoffrey Miller of Blue Hill, Chris Miller and wife, Carol, of Hermon, and Peter Miller and wife, April Clark, of Lewiston; six grandchildren, Mike and Matt Johnson, Cleo and Wyatt Miller, Sean Griffiths, and Scott Griffiths and wife, Amy; one great-grandchild, Savannah Griffiths; one brother, Roger Crouse and wife, Judy, of Brownville Junction, Vt.; two nieces, Alison and Erin; as well as several cousins.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at Holy Cross/Faith Memorial Church, Pawleys Island, S.C. Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.goldfinchfuneralhome/obituaries.