Geraldine Louise (Jackson) Miller, 96, died peacefully on Monday, September 27, 2021 at the Jewish Healthcare Center in Worcester MA. She leaves her daughter Jeanne (Miller) Ouellette and her husband Daniel of Center Lovell, ME; her sons William “Pete” Miller and wife Beth of South Dartmouth, MA; Stephen Miller and his wife Jill Tyler of Vermillion, SD; and Timothy Miller and wife Ingrid of Lewes DE. She is loved and celebrated by her twelve grandchildren—Emily, Ben, Molly, Meredith, Leah, Ian, Sam, Lydia, Caleb, Seth, Sidney, and Joe as well as her nine great-grandchildren—Reagen, Colby, Avery, Reece, Margo, Ezra, Evelyn, Ember and Hazel. Gerry was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years Dr. William B. Miller, affectionately known as “Bones”, her brothers—Bill Jackson and Ray Jackson and her sisters—Jean Dreydoppel and Grace Lindenmuth.
Gerry was born in Bethlehem PA on August 10, 1925, to G. Wilbur and Myrtle (Free) Jackson. Gerry, the oldest of the three redheaded Jackson girls, grew up on Spring Street and was nurtured in the love of her hard-working family and the extended community of the West Side Moravian Church. Gerry graduated from Liberty High School in 1943 and worked as the executive assistant to the director at the Community Chest. She married Bones in 1948 and immediately began nurturing her growing family. In 1963, when Bones took a teaching position at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Gerry moved her young brood to Worcester, MA. She loved her home on Grove Street and she loved to share it. Her favorite moments were spent laughing with her children and grandchildren; but extended family, friends and students were also welcomed. In 2011, she and Bones moved to the Briarwood Retirement Community and in 2015 to Eisenberg Assisted Living. Wherever she lived, she quickly made fast friends.
Gerry was an active member of United Congregational Church, serving on the missions committee for many years. She enjoyed bible study and reading her Daily Text. Gerry’s faith was central to each moment, and this was manifest in her daily life. She served food to the homeless, communion to shut-ins, and welcomed refugees into her life. Her commitment to love and serve has inspired her children and many who have had the privilege to know her. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
A private family committal service at Nisky Hill cemetery in Bethlehem PA will be held on October 18, 2021. A memorial celebration of Gerry’s life and a family reunion are being planned for spring of 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gerry's memory may be made to The Mustard Seed, PO Box 2592, Worcester MA 01613 where Gerry and Bones volunteered. To leave an online condolence message, please click guestbook link.