Sara Miller

1924 - 2016

Sara S. Miller, a nationally recognized artist who began sculpting in her 60's after a successful business career, died at her home in the Hancock Tower on October 29, 2016. Her work is displayed throughout Chicago at the Chicago Historical Society, the Chicago Public Library, DePaul School of Law, and the Persky House; and in Washington DC, at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Sara Shirlee Shapiro was born July 8, 1924 on the west side of Chicago and grew in Lincoln Park. Her father, Philip Shapiro, was a baker and her mother, Rose Morris Shapiro, ran a boarding house, which was also the family home. Sara was the tenth of twelve children in the family, and the last surviving member of her generation. She graduated from Jones Commercial High School and entered the business world. She was a pioneer in breaking glass ceilings for women in the 1960's by going to work for Arthur Rubloff as a professional realtor, first in office leasing and later in commercial and industrial real estate, rising to the top of her profession as a Vice President at Arthur Rubloff at a time when women could at best hope to be a secretary. She married Ira J. Miller in 1946 and was the mother of Batya Miller of Pacifica, California, the late Randall Miller, and Pamela Miller of Auckland, New Zealand. She was also the grandmother of Daniel Brunker and Solomon Brunker. Sara and her husband were founding members of Little City, and worked to raise funds and create a home and services for developmentally disabled children in Palatine, IL. They were also long-time members of Anshe Emet Synagogue. After retiring Sara began studies and had an adult bat mitzvah, reading from the Torah and Haftorah. She continued her efforts for Tikkun Olam by serving at the Jewish Help hotline and delivered challah and grape juice to people in hospitals. She also began to pursue classes in ceramics and sculpture including coursework at Truman College and classes with Anna Varalla in Chicago. She also studied with Morino Moretti in Orvieto, Italy and with the faculty of the Art Institute of Chicago. She was a member of Chicago's Palette and Chisel Artist's studio. Sara Miller was a talented person in many ways. She was skilled as a seamstress skilled in tailoring and design, and made many of her own clothes. Her home was a gathering place for friends and family and she was a wonderful cook for family meals and holidays. She is survived by her daughters and grandsons and a host of friends and colleagues who treasure their memories of her. Donations in her memory may be sent to: Little City, 1760 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine, IL 60067.