Darlene Louise Miller

1956 - 2024

On Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, on a night beautifully lit with a full moon, Darlene Louise (Wiggin) Miller - beloved mother, nana, friend, sister and daughter - passed away after a sharp and sudden decline in health.

Born on Oct. 5, 1956, to Frederic L. Wiggin and Phyllis (Jones) Wiggin in the town of Rochester, New Hampshire, Darlene worked hard and saved money to move to Alaska after graduating from Spaulding High School in 1974 with friends, seeking a new and better life. She eventually settled in Moose Creek, Alaska, and began working for the U.S. Postal Service. While working for the post office, Darlene met Edwin Miller and they were married on Sept. 15,1978. During their marriage they welcomed two daughters - Sabrina Lee on Jan. 22, 1980, followed by Sarah Lynn on June 22, 1981. During their time as a family, they enjoyed camping all over Alaska with Fielding Lake being one of their family favorite spots, fishing, playing board games and just driving around enjoying nature while having picnics in the vehicle. Darlene and Ed divorced in 2001.

Darlene was a dedicated and hard worker renowned for not missing a single day of work until a fateful day on Nov. 5, 2004, when she sustained a devastating injury caused by a catastrophic car accident. She was medically evacuated to Anchorage, and she would go on to recover but not without having developed a disability which she would be afflicted with for the remainder of her life.

She would from that point on devote her life to caring for her children and three grandchildren with the humor, silliness and compassion she embodied manifesting the sincere and unconditional love she had for her loved ones.

Despite her condition, her tenacity to face her life with a gusto and zest that could only ever be attributed to her character led to her developing passions for hobbies such as knitting, crocheting and quilting for her loved ones along with donating some to those in need. She found joy in gardening, playing the piano and guitar, cooking, playing with her grandchildren and pets. She also had a love for all sorts of music, with Pink being one of her favorite artists. Darlene also enjoyed coloring with her daughters and was known for wanting to "zoosh" up her pictures with glitter glue and glitter pens. She believed it was crucial to forgo normalcy and to embrace a sense of wittiness and oddity, frequently joking and expressing an interest in outlandish but amusing concepts such as watching "Ancient Aliens" on Fridays in a lighthearted but humorous fashion.

Darlene is survived by her oldest daughter, Sabrina Miller, of Fairbanks and three grandchildren, Justyn Durnford, Kole Campbell both of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Callahan Campbell of Alabama, as well as her mother, Phyllis Wiggin, of Rochester, New Hampshire.

She was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Sarah Campbell; one granddaughter; her father, Frederic Wiggin; brother, Timothy Wiggin; and numerous other relatives.

She will be greatly missed by family and friends as well as her two beloved kitties, Angel and Gracie.

After a private viewing there will be a Memorial Gathering between the hours of 1-3pm Saturday January 25th, 2025 at Fairbanks Funeral Home, 3704 Erickson Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99709. Due to inclement weather the gathering will be held February 1, 2025.

Condolences can be sent to 1865 RJ Loop Fairbanks, AK 99709

Arrangements are entrusted to Fairbanks Funeral Home.