MILLER, Esther Mae of Kalamazoo, Michigan Passed away March 26, 2010, at Woodside at Friendship Village. She was a resident of Friendship Village for 34 years and a longtime member of First United Methodist Church.
Esther was born March 26, 1912, in Wolf Lake, Indiana, to the late Ralph and Gola Hile Wright. She grew up in Berrien Springs and was married to Frank G. Miller in 1933. They lived in Benton Harbor for most of their marriage. Esther was executive secretary for the CPA firm of Herkner, Smits, Miskill and Johnson for many years. Frank preceded Esther in death in 1970.
Following Frank's death, Esther moved to Friendship Village in Kalamazoo. During her years at
Friendship Village, Esther enjoyed cooking and baking for others. She celebrated each friend's birthday by hand-delivering a loaf of freshly baked bread, earning her the title "the Bread Lady of Friendship Village." She also found many other ways to be of service, including forming a group called "The Stitchers," which met weekly to make lap blankets and other items for handicapped people. Over the years, Esther crocheted hundreds of afghans for family and friends. Even in recent years, her hands were never idle, doing beadwork and folding napkins for the group meals at Woodside. She will be sorely missed, not only by her family, but by all the others whose lives she touched. Surviving Esther are her daughters Gayle John Brevitz of Battle Creek and Annette Paul Hood of Owosso; her daughter-in-law Rhona Saunders; 10 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren; her sister Aline Dan Ryan and brother Jack Wright, her sister-in-law Dora Wright, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Esther in death were her son, Terrence Miller; her brothers Francis and James Wright; and her sister Martha Willson. A Memorial Service will take place on May 16, 2010 in the Kiva at Friendship Village, 1400 N. Drake Rd., Kalamazoo, from 2 to 4 p.m. Arrangements are by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, 622 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. Memorials in Esther's name may be directed to the Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church or to Hospice of Southwest Michigan. Please see
www.langelands.com
for online obituary, register book, and condolences. 269-343-1509