Stephanie N. Miller

MILLER Stephanie N. Miller, of Richwood, Ohio, passed away gently on Wednesday morning, August 8, 2007. Stephanie had lived for many years with breast cancer and showed great grace and courage as she did so. Most, if not all who knew her, found her to be a strong spiritual teacher whose life itself was an example of eclectic wisdom and real world practices of love - even tough love, when necessary. The hallmarks of her life were a quiet but powerful spiritual life; respect for others; bottom-line, no-nonsense reality checks; living her beliefs in her corner of the world in order to bring greater peace and healing to the whole world; embracing animals and the natural world as God's other children; and gleaning wisdom from all who might offer it. A long time member of New Creation Metropolitian Community Church, she was also well read in the works of Buddhist teachers Pema Chodron and Thich Nhat Hanh, Jewish mysticism and various spiritual teachers and traditions. She embodied the ability to embrace diversity, recognize the truth, and create a practical spiritual life that grounded her in faith, hope and love. Truly, the greatest of these was love in all its expressions, from common courtesy to stedfast friendships and deeply loving family connections. She is preceded in death by her parents Gerald and Mary Summers, her son Nathan Lee Miller and his father Ted L. Miller. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Miller (Judith Souza); brother, S. Steven (Sally) Summers; life partner, Margaret Hawk; and devoted friend, Shirley Raynard; as well as a large circle of loving friends and extended family. Visitation will take place at COOK & SON - PALLAY FUNERAL HOME, 1631 Parsons Ave., Columbus, 2-4 p.m. Saturday, August 11 followed immediately by a memorial service at that location. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your local humane society or animal welfare organization. "Sign the online guestbook at www.dispatch.com/obituaries"