1939 ~ 2024
Sandra “Sandy” Rae Miller, 85, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the Grand Traverse Pavilions – Willow Cottage. Sandy Bright was born on January 19, 1939, in Traverse City, to the late Miles and Helene (Marwinski) Bright.
Sandy was the youngest of three sisters. She was a 1957 graduate of Traverse City Central High School. She met the love of her life, Steven L. Miller, while he was in the U. S. Air Force stationed at the Empire Air Force Base. They were later married on April 21, 1958, in Traverse City.
Sandy worked as a legal secretary, until she needed to care for Steve, who had to retire early, from rheumatoid arthritis and later cancer. Sandy was a member of Bayview Wesleyan Church. She loved painting, mainly landscapes (oil and acrylic), and displayed her work at art shows around the area. Later in life she took up fine china painting and eventually held china painting classes in her home.
Sandy enjoyed gardening, especially irises, and had a marvelous iris garden with hundreds of varieties. She was a great cook and loved to bake and to share meals with friends and family.
Sandy is survived by a son and two daughters: Mark (Catherine) Miller, Marilyn (Robert) Burkley and Jennifer Johnson. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Sandy (Miller) Luthardt, Benjamin Burkley, Steven Johnson and Jessica ( Johnson) Hall, as well as six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Steven and two sisters, Barbara Hanes and Caroline Henderson.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the caring staffs of the Grand Traverse Pavilions Willow Cottage and Heartland Hospice for their wonderful care and compassion for Sandy.
A memorial service honoring Sandra will take place at 11:00 a.m., with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, September 20, 2024, at Bayview Wesleyan Church, 720 Wayne St., Traverse City, Michigan 49684. Pastor Chris Emery will officiate.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial donation to the Grand Traverse Pavilions, 1000 Pavilions Circle, Traverse City, Michigan 49684, or Bayview Wesleyan Church, 720 Wayne St., Traverse City, Michigan 49684. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Sandy’s family at her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff. com.
