Dona Lee Miller's Obituary
DONA LEE MILLER
Dona recently passed away after a long illness. She was born in 1932 in Dupont, Washington at Madigan Army Hospital. Her parents were Thomas and Olive Smith.
Dynamite as her dad called her. Grew up and resided all her life in the Rigney Hill neighborhood of South Tacoma. She had a pony named Candy as a child and rode it all over the area.
She was a wonderful singer and was part of special choir groups at Lincoln High School. She also was an excellent piano player and was a well-known piano teacher. She loved playing and singing "Canadian Sunset".
In 1949 she married the love of her life Jack Miller. They bought her parents house and lived there the rest of their lives. It was a very special place. My folks loved to entertain. Huge Thanksgiving, Christmas, summer barbeques and spaghetti dinners were open to all. Especially those with nowhere else to go.
Like most 50's housewives Dona did a lot of canning. Her Raspberry Jam, Freestone Peaches and Blue Lake Green Beans were world class. What she really excelled at in the kitchen was baking.
Pineapple upside down cake in an iron skillet, Sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, cookies and raspberry jelly tarts were among her specialties.
This love of baking led to Dona going into the bakery business. Dona was a Van de Kamps lady for 8 years in stores in the south sound. When Fred Meyer Stores came to the Northwest. She became the bakery lady at Fred Meyer at 72nd and Pacific in Tacoma until she retired after 25 years.
In retirement Dona and Jack travelled extensively. With multiple trips to·Europe as well as trips to New Orleans, New York and Montana.
Dona is survived by sons Craig (Tricia) and Coy (Patty). Daughter Janet (Don). As well as five
grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren
Dona was proceeded in death by Jack her husband of 67 years. Daughter Diane and grandson Lane.
To watch the service online, use this link: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/northstar/55465/hash:8186395E28AA8983
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