Nancy Luanne Miller passed away in Hermiston on March 28, 2022 at the age of 62 after a brief battle with cancer.
Nancy was an “Air Force brat” born on Oct. 16, 1959 in Goldsboro, N.C. to Robert and Mary Ann Miller, and was the second of three children. When her father retired from the Air Force in 1968, the family moved to a small farm located west of Hermiston. She attended Hermiston High School for two years (class of 1978) and subsequently earned her GED.
After high school, Nancy worked at Simplot in Hermiston and then moved to Spokane, where she bought and sold antiques and collectibles for many years while working at antique and thrift stores. Antiques, home furnishings, and collectibles were Nancy’s lifelong passion. She loved to shop and decorate and show off her latest acquisitions to friends and family.
In her mid-20s, Nancy was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and years later, with bipolar disorder. Despite her mental health challenges, Nancy lived independently and productively, continuing to live and work on her own in Spokane until she moved back to the farm in 2001 to care for her mother, who was fighting her own battle with cancer. Nancy provided invaluable support to the family over the years with her presence, particularly during her mother’s illness.
Nancy did not marry or have children, or have a wide circle of friends, but those of us who knew her loved her for her sweet disposition, generous spirit, sense of humor, and (unflinching) honesty.
Nancy is survived by her older brother, Robert; younger brother, James; nephew, Caden; aunt (Lana Edmiston); uncle (Monte Schiller); and many cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert in 2001 and mother, Mary Ann in 2015. She will be deeply missed by those who knew her, particularly her brothers, whom she doted upon all her life.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 1 p.m. at the Hermiston Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Nancy’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/) or National Alliance for Mental Health (https://nami.org/Home).
Please share memories of Nancy with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
