Obituary for Marilyn L. Miller
Mrs. Marilyn Louise Miller, age 88, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Saturday, July 18, 2020, surrounded by her three children at St. Joseph Bluff’s.
Marilyn was born on August 11, 1931 in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of Eugene Alexander and Mary Jean (Maule) Compton. She eloped and was married on January 9, 1954 in South Bend, Indiana to Robert (Bob) Charles Miller who preceded her in death on July 20, 1987.
A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Marilyn was a 1948 graduate of Brentwood High School. After high school, Marilyn continued her education at Washington University in St. Louis as a Romance Language major. In 1952, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. In college, Marilyn was part of the Delta Gamma Sorority, and she served as the Pledge Mistress. She was also on the Mortar Board, Freshman Commission, the Chimes Honorary, and she was voted Hatchet Queen at Washington University yearbook.
In 1952, Marilyn started working at 3M company, making her the first woman in the United States to hold a regional sales position for that company. Before retiring, Marilyn worked for the Board of Elementary School Library Services for Jefferson City Public Schools.
A woman of faith, Marilyn was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and she served as deacon for four terms. Marilyn served on many boards and played many different roles in society. She was the former treasurer of the St. Andrew’s Society and a former docent of the Cole County Historical Society.
In her spare time, Marilyn enjoyed reading, and she also enjoyed her Learning in Retirement classes and served on the LIR Board. Marilyn enjoyed theatre and music, and was part of the Chime Choir at First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed the Little Theatre and JC Symphony performances.
After retirement, Marilyn had a passion for traveling. She visited Spain, France, many Scandinavian countries, Quebec, China, Indonesia. Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Egypt, the Canadian Rockies, England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Austria, and 44 of the 50 U.S. States. Marilyn had many great memories and experiences while traveling. In Indonesia, she was able to ride an elephant, eat breakfast with a baboon and hold a boa constrictor for a picture. In Egypt, she rode a camel. In New Mexico, she rode in a hot air balloon. For Marilyn’s 60th birthday, she went white water rafting in West Virginia.
Survivors include: one son, Eric Miller (Janis) of Webster Groves, Mo.; two daughters, Elisabeth “Beth” Miller of Jefferson City, Mo., Margaret “Meg” Miller (Robert) of Arlington, Va.; one sister, Marsha Richeson of Appleton, Wi.; five grandchildren, Emily Neutzling (Jeff), Ruth Donahue (Patrick), Adam Miller, Carter Roll, and Fiona Roll; four great-grandchildren, Sawyer Donahue, Sullivan Donahue, Stella Donahue, and August Neutzling; two nephews, McGready Richeson (Leigh Anne) and Sam Richeson (Kelsey); two nieces, Becky Unterriker (Uli), Julie Wolfe (Peter) and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband of over 33 years, Bob.
No funeral services will be held at this time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Planet Indonesia (www.planetindonesia.org), Hospice Compassus, and the First Presbyterian Church.
Final arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
Marilyn was born on August 11, 1931 in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of Eugene Alexander and Mary Jean (Maule) Compton. She eloped and was married on January 9, 1954 in South Bend, Indiana to Robert (Bob) Charles Miller who preceded her in death on July 20, 1987.
A lifelong resident of the Central Missouri area, Marilyn was a 1948 graduate of Brentwood High School. After high school, Marilyn continued her education at Washington University in St. Louis as a Romance Language major. In 1952, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. In college, Marilyn was part of the Delta Gamma Sorority, and she served as the Pledge Mistress. She was also on the Mortar Board, Freshman Commission, the Chimes Honorary, and she was voted Hatchet Queen at Washington University yearbook.
In 1952, Marilyn started working at 3M company, making her the first woman in the United States to hold a regional sales position for that company. Before retiring, Marilyn worked for the Board of Elementary School Library Services for Jefferson City Public Schools.
A woman of faith, Marilyn was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and she served as deacon for four terms. Marilyn served on many boards and played many different roles in society. She was the former treasurer of the St. Andrew’s Society and a former docent of the Cole County Historical Society.
In her spare time, Marilyn enjoyed reading, and she also enjoyed her Learning in Retirement classes and served on the LIR Board. Marilyn enjoyed theatre and music, and was part of the Chime Choir at First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed the Little Theatre and JC Symphony performances.
After retirement, Marilyn had a passion for traveling. She visited Spain, France, many Scandinavian countries, Quebec, China, Indonesia. Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Egypt, the Canadian Rockies, England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Austria, and 44 of the 50 U.S. States. Marilyn had many great memories and experiences while traveling. In Indonesia, she was able to ride an elephant, eat breakfast with a baboon and hold a boa constrictor for a picture. In Egypt, she rode a camel. In New Mexico, she rode in a hot air balloon. For Marilyn’s 60th birthday, she went white water rafting in West Virginia.
Survivors include: one son, Eric Miller (Janis) of Webster Groves, Mo.; two daughters, Elisabeth “Beth” Miller of Jefferson City, Mo., Margaret “Meg” Miller (Robert) of Arlington, Va.; one sister, Marsha Richeson of Appleton, Wi.; five grandchildren, Emily Neutzling (Jeff), Ruth Donahue (Patrick), Adam Miller, Carter Roll, and Fiona Roll; four great-grandchildren, Sawyer Donahue, Sullivan Donahue, Stella Donahue, and August Neutzling; two nephews, McGready Richeson (Leigh Anne) and Sam Richeson (Kelsey); two nieces, Becky Unterriker (Uli), Julie Wolfe (Peter) and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband of over 33 years, Bob.
No funeral services will be held at this time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Planet Indonesia (www.planetindonesia.org), Hospice Compassus, and the First Presbyterian Church.
Final arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.