Fay H. Miller

Fay Hannah Miller, 99, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2013, with her children at her side. Fay was born Grace Hannah Pace in Burley, Idaho on June 10, 1914, the third of twelve children born to Presley Denny Pace and Agnes Judd Reid Pace. At an early age she adopted the nickname “Fay”, and it was her name her entire life. Growing up on a farm in rural Idaho, Fay helped with the chores; milking cows, hoeing beets, and picking potatoes. After her mother’s death, she also helped to raise the younger siblings. One might picture her as a large, healthy farm girl, but Fay was petite and the very essence of a lady, always dressing well, always looking her best. Fay was industrious and worked almost all of her life. Her first job was counter girl at the local Pixton Drug in Burley, Idaho. Later, she worked managing dress shops in Burley and Twin Falls, and then worked in the drapery and decorating business in Pocatello. She had the unique distinction of having never once applied for a job; her jobs were always offered to her. Fay married Norman Beckstead in 1932, and a daughter, Sally Leah, was born to that union, which later ended in divorce. In 1941, she married “Hap” Yelton, and moved to Pocatello. She had a second daughter, Sondra K (Sonni) in 1943, and a third daughter, Patricia Ann in 1944. That marriage also ended. In 1956, she married Frank Miller. Together, Mom and Frank They traveled around the country, sometimes pulling a little trailer “home”. They enjoyed their years together, always looking for new horizons or a new toy. When Frank became ill in 1990, Mom taught us by example what love is, by becoming Frank’s caregiver, for four years. When Frank died in 1994, she emerged as strong as ever and determined to live a good and meaningful life, traveling and visiting her children and grandchildren. Never one to succumb to depression or self-pity, Mom believed in the “three W’s” – Working, Walking, and Wit, to dissolve away her worries. She loved to walk; it was her way of staying fit and staying happy. She often said that you couldn’t be depressed if you walked every day. Her sense of humor was a subtle surprise to those who met her --- a dainty little lady who could give a verbal jab with the best of them. And, except for the subject of politics, she could find humor in almost any situation. Before moving to Scappoose, Oregon in 2010 to be near two of her daughters, she was ever-so-lovingly cared for by her daughter Sally and her family. She was always surrounded by loved ones who watched out for her needs, even when she stubbornly insisted she didn’t need anything. Her loving granddaughters have expressed that she was the perfect woman: full of sass, grit, femininity, heart, strength, depth, all love, delightful, warm, tenacious, always gracious, strong, considerate, stylish, persevering, and always positive. We will forever miss our wonderful Mother and Grandmother. Fay was preceded in death by her parents, sisters LaPriel Hymus, Mildred Mitchell, Hazel South, and baby Winifred, and by brothers, David, Reid, Calvin, Warren, and Denny, grandsons Jim Reynolds and Kevin Morrow, and by a step-daughter, Lois Goolsbey. She is survived by a brother, George (Diane) Pace and a sister, Margaret (Chuck) Higgins, daughters Sally (Ralph) Reynolds of Pocatello, Idaho, Sonni Lloyd of Portland, Oregon, Patty (Garth) Bailey of Warren, Oregon, and a step-daughter, Sondra (Larry) Morrow of Mesa, Arizona. Loving grandchildren include Janie Wiggins, Marvin Reynolds, Susan Burt, Shulene Starkey, David Lloyd, Michael Lloyd, Shannon Ngai, Ryan Lloyd, Erin Lloyd, Brad Carlson, Bryan Bailey, Jill Bailey, Amy Bailey, Amanda Bailey, David Bailey, Linda Jensen, Dan Morrow, Terri Marske, Steve Morrow, and their spouses, and numerous great and great-great grandchildren who all feel the great loss of this wonderful woman. A Celebration of Life was held at her daughter Patty’s home on June 15, 2013. The funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on June 22, 2013 at Colonial Funeral Home in Pocatello, Idaho. The family wishes to express their deepest heartfelt appreciation to all those who so lovingly cared for our Mother: the staff of Rose Valley Assisted Living in Scappoose, Oregon, Angie’s Autumn Care Home in northwest Portland, and the 6th floor staff at Good Samaritan Hospital.

Fay H. Miller

June 10, 1914 - June 11, 2013