Mary Elizabeth Miller

Mary Elizabeth (Wyse) Miller, 80, of Rockford, Illinois died Thursday, February 28, 2008 at the Rosewood Care Center following an extended illness. She was born in Newberry, Michigan on February 3, 1928, the daughter of Lawrence and Clara Johnson Wyse. Attended schools in Marquette and Sparta, Michigan. She graduated from Stephens College in 1948. Mary attended Western Michigan University, University of Illinois and Northern Michigan University with majors in Occupational Therapy and Elementary Education. She was an active member of the Delta Sigma Honorary Science Sorority. Mary was united in marriage to Elton (Doc) H. Miller on March 10, 1951 in Urbana, Illinois. Prior to becoming a full-time homemaker, Mary taught at Jericho Grade School near Bangor, Michigan. She grew up excelling at ice skating and was a wonderful equestrian. She was a creative person who loved music and the arts and introduced her daughter to many of these opportunities. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, traveling, history and being a Girl Scout leader. She actively participated in many other church and community volunteer activities. Mary will always be remembered for supporting her family in all that they did and the many lives touched by her gentleness, kindness and sensitivity. She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, YMCA Senior Womens Club, University of Illinois Homemakers Extension Club, Phi Sigma Alpha Sorority and Bible Studies International (group leader for many years). She was also a certified graphoanalyst. Survivors include her husband, Elton; daughter Mary Lee A. Miller, Madison, WI; brother, Dr. James (Mary Ann) Wyse; nephews, Christopher (Elke) Wyse, Lawrence (Larry and his wife, Cindy) McAdams; nieces; Debra (Richard) Gunther, Susan (Dennis) Hourany and Ingrid (Bill) Porter. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Clara Wyse of Holland Michigan and her sister, Phyllis McAdams (Richard) Orinda of California. A celebration of Marys life will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 6, 2008 in Christ United Methodist Church, 4509 Highcrest Road. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service at the church on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimers Association, American Cancer Society, American Humane Society, Hospice Care of America or to the charity of donors choice. The family was assisted by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.