Joyce Ruth "Miller" Biagini

Joyce Ruth (Miller) Biagini, 88, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026, surrounded by family at her home in Maplewood, Minnesota, after a 4-year battle with lymphatic cancer. Up until the end, Joyce was a pure soul who maintained her kindness, grace, compassion, love of family and friends, and expressed gratitude for her long life, full of wonderful and varied experiences.

Joyce was born on September 9, 1937, in Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, and was the second child of Theodore Joseph Miller and Arnes Gwendelen Kellgren Miller.

Joyce graduated from Humboldt High School in 1955. She had been named most talented, president of the Band Club, part of the Saxophone Quintet, and a member of the National Honor Society. Besides the saxophone, Joyce played piano and sang. She shared her passion for music by playing with the Woodbury Lutheran Church Kitchen Band for many years.

For several summers, she served as camp director for the Cannon Valley Girl Scout Council and the Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley and was a certified ski instructor in the winter. Joyce loved horseback riding, camping, and skating. She was skating at Alrich Arena when she met her husband, Daniel.

She received a B.A. in English, Magna Cum Laude, from Gustavus Adolphus College, with minors in Spanish and Psychology. Joyce earned a B.S. in Elementary Education, Nursery School, Kindergarten, and an M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) from the University of Minnesota. For her PhD, she added a second concentration in Education Administration to the Second Languages and Cultures Education track.

Joyce leaves an indelible impression on those who call her a teacher. During her career, she worked at West Saint Paul Schools, the University of Minnesota International Institute at Saint Paul Schools, the University of Wisconsin, Hamline University, and the Minnesota Department of Children, Families & Learning. Her expertise led to an invitation from the People's Republic of China to teach English at Qinghua University in Beijing, China.

Joyce was one of three women who organized the Minnesota Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (MinnesTESOL) professional organization. She chaired the professional standards committee, served for 6 years on the executive board, including 1 term as president, was a newspaper editor, and was a conference chair. She also serves on the Advisory Committee for Second Languages and Cultures at the University of Minnesota, the National Association of Migrant Educators, and the Minnesota Literacy Council. Recognized for her expertise, she was frequently asked to present at national conferences in Vancouver, Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, Seattle, Louisville, and, of course, Saint Paul.

Joyce dedicated her life to helping and bringing joy to others. Joyce was a volunteer whose dedication to the Cafesjian Carousel at St. Paul's Como Park spanned many years. She also

sponsored the restoration of a carousel horse, ensuring that her name and spirit will bring joy to others for generations to come.

Her skills at connecting with others through faith led her to participate in the Project Video missions to Thailand and the Philippines. She also went on missions to Africa, Serbia and Montenegro, Kosovo, and Alaska. One summer was spent teaching English and instructional methodology to teachers in the Thailand Refugee Camps, one kilometer from the Thai-Cambodian border.

Joyce never lost her wanderlust or thirst for knowledge. Whether it was with Daniel or friends, she traveled throughout the world and the United States. She fell in love with Costa Rica's biodiversity, "Pura Vida" lifestyle, and culture. She designed the house near San Ramón, Alajuela, that Daniel built for their retirement.

Preceding Joyce in death were her parents, grandparents, sister-in-law, Carol Patricia Duffy Miller, and her first husband, Richard Clyde Biagini Junior.

She is survived by her husband, Daniel Quirós Delgado, and brother Duane David Miller, four stepchildren: Daniela Quirós Jiménez, David Artuno Quirós Jiménez (Ximena Casafont), Diana Carolina Quirós Jiménez (Edward Ureña), Dylana Quirós Jiménez; five grandchildren: Alana, Amy, Dana Francisco, and Santiago, all of Costa Rica. Nephews David and Steve (Julie) Miller, Nieces Lynne Miller (Glenn) Johnson, Susan Miller (David) Kirk, friends Bonnie and Brian Olson, Janet Bourdon, Linda Loverude, Imme Spangenberg, and Michael and Jill Bemis.

A Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi, MN.

A private internment ceremony will be held at East Union Lutheran Church, 15180 County Road 40, Carver, Minnesota 55315, at a later date.

A memorial will be held in Costa Rica, and a Celebration of Life will be held in Minnesota at the Cafesjian's Carousel later this spring.

Instead of flowers and cards, the family would welcome donations in her name sent to the Cafesjian's Carousel at 1245 Midway Parkway, St Paul, MN 55103, or to a charity of your choosing.