Jeanette H. Miller

We are honoring and lovingly remembering Jeanette Miller, Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt and Friend. She passed away on August 25, 2023. Born on November 14, 1939, shortly after World War 2 had started. She told me, "I remembered the celebration, everyone is standing in the street with my mother and sister and everyone beating on pots." Jeanette loved celebrations of all kinds.

Her parents May Violet Reppert and John Oliver Hedrick were not destined to stay together, but doted on her very much, with her older sister, Joyce.

She grew up mostly in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia. Her mother had remarried; Walt Townsend and with his 3 kids they had a full house.

She loved to dance and attended many local dances at various parish halls with her step sister, Joan. She suffered a concussion while in high school and was hospitalized for half a semester. She graduated from Lincoln High school in 1957.

Due to her missing some school, her dream of being a nurse was dashed and she trained for a now obsolete job at Lit Brothers Department Store. While on a company picnic she met Pascal Formicola from S. Philly. Within a year they were married, within 6 years, they had 4 children and lived in the Logan section.

1969 found Jeanette with 4 kids, a cat, a blizzard,some luggage and trying to fly to Flint, Michigan where Pat had taken on a new job position. They did not stay long in Flint, and subsequently moved to Toledo, OH (where Nick was born). Two more moves in Bedford, MI, and Waterville, OH. Eventually Roseville, Michigan was where the family settled for the duration of the marriage. Jeanette was active in Scouting, PTO, and volunteered for various civic organizations and her local church, while raising 5 children and working part time. The marriage ended in 1979 and Jeanette found her way back in PA and helping her recently widowed mother, cope with her loss

Around 1980, she met the love of her life, William Robert Miller. They married and settled down in the Indian Creek section of Levittown. They had 43 wonderful loving anniversaries celebrated together.

They created the home place where many family functions and holidays were celebrated. With 8 children between them, always a full house of love and laughter! Lots of food and always gifts. She excelled in giving gifts! Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday to host.

Jeanette worked as retail manager for many years in various women's boutique clothing and bridal stores. A career change around 1985 and was a preschool teacher/ assistant director for Kindercare in Fairless Hills. She loved children and loved teaching them. Which bought her to her final career as a Private Nanny. She absolutely loved that job!

When she retired she volunteered at St. Mary's Thrift store and later at Good Stuff store. Belonging to the Purple Poppies Red Hat Society also gave her much enjoyment as she loved to dress up and dress fancy! Her fashion sense and decorating skills were admired by many. Hosting many tea parties for the Red Hats as well as family teas over the years! Everyone wanted an invite. But you better wear a hat!

A voracious reader, her nose was always in a book and reading several books at once. Visits to the Library was mandatory! She loved her kindle! Crafting projects, sewing, painting with watercolors, crocheting, jewelry assembly, gardening, playing games, cooking and baking! All kept her very busy! She loved to participate in everything, anytime!

But one of her true activities was traveling with her Billy Bob all over the world. Jeanette had the spirit to see and experience different lands and cultures. Jeanette and Bill cruised or toured... Most European Nations, British Isles, Mediterranean Countries, Mexico and Central America including the Panama canal, Australia, Caribbean, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, loads of Islands, all of the US States and major cities.

The family had a hard time keeping up with their travel calendar! She also had many adventures locally. You never knew where she would turn up, at the shore, Poconos, art museums., and shows in the city, her hometown.

Jeanette stayed in touch with her kids, who grew up, found partners, had families, acquired their own homes. and had achievements, honors and successes. Following whether close or far, and encouraged us to try new ideas, search for our true love and stay true to ourselves. She believed in all of us!

Grandchildren held a special spot in her heart and she made time to get to know them and went to movies and took them shopping and had sleepovers at her home, baking cookies, attended many recitals and school programs. So proud of their accomplishments and let them know with her gifts. Jeanette loved to give gifts! Birthdays were a big deal in heart, she came up with the family dinner which was like a mid winter family birthday celebration at home base. The family loved it and we all caught up on news of each other.

Generous to a fault she gave to many charities her time and donations. She particularly enjoyed her rescue cats over the years, Touche, Smidgen, McPiggers, Kitty Witty, Truffles, Tatar Tot, Tinker, and Paris. They were lucky cats under her care. A prize was awarded to her for the most unusual cat names!

Life was not always easy, and she had trials with a flooded house, a house burning down, a severe accident to her left foot and the loss of her son in 2021. But she kept going forward to lessen the pain of loss. Jeanette inspired us to be kind, but have soft strength. Do what makes you happy and strive to be a better person every day. Being willing to try something new and it was never too late to learn. Show compassion for others and look for the joy in every day Her passion for living and her spirit of love for her family will continue to shine down on us. Jeanette will be sadly missed with all who knew and had the joy of her presence. WE are so grateful for your love for US.

She is predeceased by her parents May Mouat and John O. Hedrick; brother John Hedrick; her son Ted Formicola; also her step fathers, Walt Townsend and David Mouat.

She is survived by her loving husband Bill Miller; her sister, Joyce Bowers and brother Richard;

children, Stephanie Nerges (Rick), Lori Formicola, Mark Formicola (Connie), Nick Formicola ( Patty), Adrianne Sachetti (Rob), Kris Miller (Gina), Billy Miller (Dee); her grandchildren: Meg Davis, Andrew Nerges, Anthony Sachetti, Nicole Sachetti, Morgan Formicola, Roman Formicola, Nick Formicola, Coleen Formicola and Lauren Curry . Also special consideration, Joyce, Amy, David, Alan, and Carrie Pickering, Cori Bowers, Gigi Andrew, James Bowers, Angus Duggan and Norm Townsend.

IN REMEMBRANCE

by Christine Currah

YOU GAVE ME LIFE

TO LIVE AS I PLEASE

YOU GAVE ME LOVE AND

SUPPORT TO FOLLOW MY DREAMS

YOUR BEAUTY LIVES

FOREVER DEEP IN MY SOUL

THE MEMORY OF YOUR LOVE

FILLS MY HEART

AND I AM NEVER ALONE

Family and friends invited to call on Friday, September 8, 2023 from 10:00 am until 12 noon at Hope Lutheran Church, 2600 Haines Rd Levittown, Pa 19055, where her funeral service will be held at 12 noon. Interment will follow in Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Rd, Newtown Pa 18940.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Trenton Cat Rescue, 1977 N. Olden Avenue, Mailbox #327, Trenton NJ 08618 or Trentoncats.org or on FB page.