Mary M. Miller

Friday, Jul. 17, 2020

October 13,1930 ~ June 9. 2020

On June 9, 2020, Mary Margaret Miller, loving wife and mother of six, passed away at the age of 89 years due to COVID-19. 

Mary was born October 13, 1930 to August F. Delaloye, Sr. and Gladys Ruth Moore Delaloye, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. She was their fourth child and first daughter. Mary was born minutes after her twin brother, Joseph. Her birth surprised her parents, who had been expecting only one. 

Mary’s early childhood was filled with typical experiences of the 1930s. During the Depression years, her father was out of work and the family moved several times. Most notably they spent time in Rolla, Missouri, living with uncles who had a farm there. In 1938, Mary’s family made its way back to Ft. Smith.

Mary fondly remembered attending St. Boniface School and then St. Scholastica. In 1948, Mary entered nurses’ training at St. Edward’s Hospital. She enjoyed her time at St. Edwards, met many nice people and learned a lot. Mary graduated, passed the exam and became an RN in 1951. She worked at St Edward’s one year and then moved to New Orleans, accepting employment at Charity Hospital. 

In September 1953, John Miller, from Ft. Smith, came to visit Mary’s roommate. In December that year, John called, offering a ride to Ft. Smith as he travelled home for the holidays. They were engaged in March and married June 19, 1954. John often said of his Mary, “she saved me from a life of loneliness.” 

John’s career took them from Florida to California to New Mexico, back to California, to Texas, then on to Utah. As their kids grew, Mary started a home day care business where she made many lifelong family friends. They had six children in all, three boys and three girls. Mary is survived by her children Peter (Denise), David (Nanette), Ruth (Dale), Ann (Ken), Martha (Dan) and Mark (Amy). She has 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, with one more on the way. 

Mary and John spent the last few years of life at Canyon Creek Assisted Living. John passed away in January 2018 with Mary by his side. She has now rejoined her quiet, loving, unassuming husband of 64 years. 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a celebration of Mary’s life will be postponed. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mary’s honor to the Utah Food Bank www.utahfoodbank.org/give-money/.