Peggy Miller

Peggy Miller, 90, formerly of Scranton, passed away May 28, 2022, in Tampa, Florida, surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Ralph C. Miller, in 2012.

Born on Aug. 25, 1931, in Chambersburg, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Chester and Mary Elizabeth Burkholder. Peggy graduated from Lemoyne High School in 1949. She and Ralph moved to Scranton in 1960 when he was transferred for his work. They planned to stay in Scranton for a year or two and return to Harrisburg and their families, but they never left.

Peggy became involved in the PTA at Robert Morris School in Scranton when her girls started school and eventually was a life member in the Pennsylvania PTA.

She was employed by Aramark at Robert Morris school as a cafeteria worker in the 1970s. When her children were older, she had more time to devote to employment. She then started working at United Neighbor Center in Green Ridge in the late 1980s as an assistant group supervisor. Well into her late 70s she could be found at Robert Morris playground playing kickball with the kids from the center. She was the "steady pitcher." Although she retired from United Neighborhood Center in 2008, she kept in touch with many of "her kids." As recently as May of this year she was in contact with some of them. Many of "her kids" have contacted her family members upon learning of her passing, to share the positive influence that she had in their lives.

Peggy enjoyed ceramics, scratch-off lottery tickets, Starbucks and playing cards. She and her friends got together monthly, taking turns hosting Pinochle games for more than 50 years. They referred to themselves as the "Sweet Sisters."

She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, whose greatest joy in life was spending time with her family and "making memories." She was affectionately known as "Meme." In her later years, she looked forward to Friday night pizza with her family. Also, on her priority list was FaceTiming with her great-grandchildren. That sometimes included them reading her a book or playing "Chutes and Ladders" or "Candy Land" during the FaceTime call. She was also blessed to have her granddaughter, Saige, as her own personal manicurist while she was in Florida.

She is survived by her three daughters, Kim Zayac (Ted), of Dunmore, Pa.; Kris Miller (Barb), of Mountaintop, Pa.; Kerri Sampson (Gary), Odessa, Florida; six grandchildren, Cara Zayac McCormick (Shamus), Stephen Zayac (Jessica), Gregory Zayac (Theodocia), Bryan Zayac (Maggie), Silas Sampson and Saige Sampson; great-grandchildren, Gregory Zayac Jr., Helen Zayac, Calin McCormick, Matilda Zayac, August Zayac, Mackenzie McCormick, Cecilia Zayac, Wilson Zayac and Max Zayac. Also survived by one sister, Josephine Aldridge, North Carolina; three sisters-in-law, Frances Writer, Martha White and Florence Miller; and two brothers-in-law, Benjamin Miller and Larry Miller.

In addition to her loving husband, Ralph, she was preceded in death by her great-grandson, Jude Zayac; her sisters, Betty Knull and Geraldine Burkholder; and her brother, John Burkholder.

A blessing service will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore.

Family and friends may call Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jude Zayac Foundation, P.O. Box 482, Dunmore, PA 18512. To leave a condolence, please visit www.NEPAFuneralHome.com.