Alison Justine Miller

1948 - 2025

Anacortes - Alison Justine Miller, 76, of Anacortes died at home on October 12, 2025 surrounded by family. She was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming on November 28, 1948 to Delbert and Alice Northcutt. She graduated from Cheyenne East High School in 1967, Colorado College in Colorado Springs in 1971 with a Bachelors in Spanish, a French minor, and a teaching degree, and Middlebury College in 1976 with a Masters in Spanish. Alison's initial interest in foreign language began as a young child when she realized that her grandmother from Denmark could speak using words that she had never heard before and that these words could be understood by others that lived in Denmark. This fascination grew into a career that helped countless other people respect and embrace the variety of ways that people around the world communicate with each other. She moved to Oak Harbor in 1977 where her husband was stationed with the Navy, and began teaching at Skagit Valley College. Along with many years teaching at Skagit Valley College, she owned and operated the Pacific Language Center in Anacortes, and most recently the Ode to Learning Language school in downtown Mt Vernon.

Alison was a life long learner and traveler with a focus on accelerated learning including achieving certification in Suggestopedia and writing two Spanish text books. She touched the lives of her students throughout her teaching career with her enthusiastic and joyful approach, using music, art, and games. Alison loved teaching and was known for her humor and creativity. Her devotion to sharing her love of language enriched all who enjoyed the privilege of knowing her.

Her independent spirit and relentless optimism led to many adventures. In 1965, at age 16, she made her first solo trip to Mexico, followed by a lifetime of travel to Mexico, Europe, Asia, and South America, absorbing the cultures and languages. She made friends wherever she went, turning brief encounters into lifelong friendships. During her husband's Navy cruises, she moved to Japan each time to teach and study. She was fluent in Spanish and French, was able to communicate effectively in German, Portuguese, Italian, and Japanese, and dabbled in Danish, Greek, Chinese, Lushootseed, and others. Along with her focus on developing teaching skills, she also participated in, and studied traditional healing from many different cultures.

She was loving, vibrant, elegant, and kind, lighting up when she was with her family and her two panthers Sumo and Chio. She is survived by her husband Mark, three children: Kyle (Lou Thompson) Miller, Brooke (Nik) Amyx, and Kaye (Erik Gilje) Miller, sister Barbara (Pete) Laybourn of Cheyenne, grandchildren: Anja and Henrik Gilje, and Astor and Asa Miller. She was preceded by her father Delbert Northcutt and mother Alice (Anderson) Northcutt. No services are planned at this time; a celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.

Those who wish to, can contribute to Hospice of the Northwest or The Skagit Valley College Foundation. To share memories of Alison, please visit Evans Funeral Chapel website www.evanschapel.com/obituary/alison-miller