Obituary of Janice Ann Miller

My beautiful wife - Janice Ann Miller was born May 12, 1953 to Harold Jr. & Hazel M. Close in Broken Bow, Nebraska.  After spending early childhood in Broken Bow, her family found their way to Boise, Idaho.  She graduated from Borah High School in 1971.  In the summer of 1972, I met this incredibly beautiful young lady in a red and white polka dot swimsuit who would forever change my life.  On April 8^th 1973 she married (me) Bert H Miller at St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral in Boise and was active in the Episcopal Diocese.  We have three children, Rachel, Matthew, and Samuel.  As the children got older, Jan entered Boise State University.  She graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education, the first in her family to graduate College.  She began her teaching career in the Meridian School District and after several years, finally found herself at Eagle Elementary School, loving 1^st grade. She retired after many years of loving “her children.”  In addition to teaching, Jan was involved firsthand in the wonderful charity of the Shriners Hospital organization, she and myself (Bert) became very active in the Masonic/Shrine fraternity for many years as we thank this organization for helping out our son as he needed the Shriners when he was young.  She served as First Lady of the El Korah Shrine in 2005 and enjoyed the traveling throughout the United States and the UK. While juggling her role as wife, mom, and teacher she was so excited to finally become a NANA!   She took on this role very seriouly and absolutely doted on her grandchildren.

In August 2019, Jan was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She battled this cancer valiantly for three years to almost a stalemate and entering into the Kingdom of Heaven on April 23, 2022.   She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Bert, and children and their spouses, Rachel (daughter) and Mark Vachon, Matthew (Son) and Amber, Samuel (Son) and Katrina.  She also leaves behind the lights of her life: Grandchildren Brooklyn and Madison Miller, Ethan and Emma Vachon, Colin and Kylie Miller, and Maggie and Annabelle Miller.

The family would like to thank the Oncology Team of St. Lukes, especially Dr. Bucur and the incredible nurses of 4 south and the Cancer Institute!  Memorials can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children in her name.   A Celebration of Life will be Sunday, May 1^st, 4:30 at the Scottish Rite Building, 1407 Bannock in Boise.