MILLER, Julia Virginia, a long time resident of Wellesley (66 years), passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at the age of 102.
Born to Maude and Henry Diehl in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, she grew up in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Hazleton High School, she attended McCann Business School.
Julia was employed at the former Natick Leonard Morse Hospital for 17 years in the Dietary Department. Previously she worked in retail shipping and receiving and was a member of the IBT and UAW. In addition, she and her late husband William Miller wrote for the former "Metro West" section of The Patriot Ledger.
She was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church of the Newtons in Newton Centre. There she served on the Altar Guild and taught Sunday School.
Julia had very close ties to her family, friends and neighbors.
There were friends who were not just part of the family - they were family. Beverly and Paul Kennedy were always there for her delivering her favorite dishes, flowers, and cards. Paul, a retired Wellesley Firefighter, took her grocery shopping for ten years so she could continue her shopping. We will remain grateful to both of them.
Her neighbors of long standing were always there, and attentive in so many ways, even after her passing.
Her favorite time of the year were Spring and Christmas. She had an affinity for her garden, which came alive every year, and later was maintained by JJ Landscaping.
At Christmas, she opened her beautifully decorated home to family and friends, and brought joy to everyone with her culinary skills (particularly her chocolate chip cookies and Pennsyvania Dutch specialities).
Julia was preceded in death by her husband William C. Miller and her daughter, Janice Elaine Peterson of Medway.
She is survived by her children Patricia Wasterval of Galveston, Texas, Beth Myers of Denver and William Miller (Sue) of Worcester.
She is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchilden - Steven Wasterval (Pia) and Axl Wasterval of New York, Marlies Cordova-Wasterval (Pablo) and Linus Cordova-Wasterval of Houston, Keir Myers (Molly) and Blake and Remington Myers of Denver, Leah Koenig (Manu) and Charlotte Koenig of Santa Cruz, California, and Harrison Miller (Mary Margaret) of Altamont, NewYork.
She is also survived by nephews Bill, Jim, Dan and Stephen Lenehan and Tom, Chris, Greg and Joe Smith.
The family would like to acknowledge the compassionate and loving care given to Julia by Homewell and Family, Faith and Friends.
Funeral arrangements were private and a future gathering is planned at Cape Cod.
Julia deeply cared for the children at the St. Joseph's Indian School. Contributions can be made in her memory at P.O. Box 100, Chamberlain, South Dakota 57325.