Mary Agnes MILLER

1926 - 2016

MILLER, Mary Agnes Six months ago, Mary Agnes (McKay) Miller, age 90, decided that 30 years fighting breast cancer was enough. She passed away peacefully on May 15, 2016, at Casa de la Luz Hospice in Tucson, Arizona, just as she wanted. Mary was born in Los Angeles on February 10, 1926, four years after the birth of her future husband Glenn, who she would marry 25 years later on February 10, 1951. She was the offspring of Carrie Belle Davis and Neil Harold McKay of Corona, California. Like her parents, she lived an adventurous life. After growing up in Fontana and attending Chaffey High School, she graduated from UCLA in 1945 with a BS degree in Apparel Design. For two years she did secretarial work at the Kaiser Steel mill in Fontana. Then, at a party one night, she met Glenn. Marriage took Mary to Santa Barbara and then to Goleta. As a UCSB faculty spouse, she frequently entertained the Faculty Club and Chemistry Department, as well as her Bridge Club, Couples Club, and many dear friends. As an artist, she loved to paint in watercolor and acrylics, and on porcelain china. She dabbled in bronze casting, ceramics, drawing, batik, tie-dye, mosaics, basketry, Bunka, and beads. And, of course, she sewed, making clothes and accessories for herself, her family, and her home. Sabbatical years were spent in Canada, Malaysia, Liberia, and Kenya. Mary rode an elephant in India, a camel in Egypt, and patted the rump of a rhinoceros in Kenya. She led her family on expeditions through ancient ruins, temples, and museums in Cambodia, Greece, Nepal, Iran, and Turkey. In tiny planes, she flew over remote jungle villages in Liberia and the Iguazu Falls. She took a boat up the Amazon, and a jeep into the Himalayas. She and Glenn dodged bullets after a Liberian coup. Along the way, she caught butterflies to add to Glenn's collection and collected ethnic art as she learned about the cultures of places she visited. In Goleta, Mary taught crafts at Sunday school and attended bible studies. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader for all three of her daughters. She grew winter melons, chayote, and berries in her garden. She kept bantams for eggs and collected succulent plants with Glenn. She painted with a plein air group, danced at the Elks Club, and gave presentations about her travels. Luckily for her daughters, she was tolerant of the numerous reptiles, birds, rodents, and various other creatures that shared her home. During her retirement in Tucson, Mary joined the Cactus and Succulent Society and the Porcelain Arts Guild. She went on rockhounding expeditions. She researched genealogy, tracing her family to pre-1776 in the US. She was a church librarian and organized craft activities for conferences. She was always generous, donating time and money for those in need. An avid follower of politics, she considered herself a Republican until a short time before her death, when she started calling herself a "RINO." She was also interested in nutrition, which helped her make it to 90, her goal. Hers was a life well lived; we should all be so fortunate. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Harry Miller, and is survived by her brother, Neil H. McKay Jr; daughters, Laurie E. Landa, Marilyn A. Miller, and Jeanne A. Miller; and by grandchildren, Eric W. Landa, Kathryn E. Culhane, and Ian A. Culhane. Mary's ashes reside in the Columbarium at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Tucson, alongside Glenn's. Memorial donations may be made to Casa de la Luz Foundation, 7740 North Oracle Road, Bldg. 7750, Tucson, AZ 85704. Arrangements by DESERT SUNSET FUNERAL HOME.