Donella Jean Miller (Lozier) passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 20th, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Olympia, Washington to Luella and Richard Lozier on March 28th, 1949. She shared her birthday with her mother.
Donella (also known as Dani) graduated from North Thurston High school in 1967. Shortly after graduation, she met her soul mate, Don Miller. It was love at first sight! They dated for three months and married on March 16, 1968. Excitedly, in 1969, they welcomed their son, Michael. Shortly after, they moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, where Don was originally from. Donella was a housewife while Don went off to work. In 1971, their son William (Bill) was born. The boys were 18 months apart and Donella’s hands were full but she loved it. As time went on, work was slow so the family moved back to Olympia, Washington to be close to Donella’s family. Don began working for the State and in 1973, they had a daughter, Lori. Their family was complete.
Donella ran an in-home daycare for many years while her children were in elementary school. In 1982, she began working for the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). She loved working for DOH and many that she worked with became family. She retired in 2015 after 30+ years of dedicated service.
Throughout the years, her greatest pastimes were camping with her family & friends, playing cards, and reading books. She also loved spending as much time as she could with her five grandchildren and her two great-grandchildren. They were the light of her life and she loved being Nini to all of them.
In 2018, Donella suffered a stroke that caused some significant damage and created some difficulties for her but she pushed through and always said “I’m Fine” – never wanting to worry her children and her grands. Don spent every day taking care of her. Sadly, she suffered another event and was unable to recover.
Donella is survived by her best friend and loving husband of 53 Years, Don Miller, her brother David Lozier (Pia), her sister-in-law Gloria Mott (Robert); her children, Michael Miller, William Miller (Shanaka), Lori Delaney (Jon); her grandchildren Rachael Benson (Richard), Morgan Cain (Dani), Cameron Cain (Keadrin), Kenneth Miller, Bryon Avelar (Beth-Anne), and Corey Delaney (Veronica); great grandchildren Raiden and Ruby Benson; her nieces Amy Larrabee (Shane) and Mui Lozier; her nephew Adam Mott (Yukiko); and her great niece Kendyl Larrabee. Donella was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Luella Lozier, her in-laws, Santa & Ervin Miller and her daughter-in-love, Deanna Lewis.
A private family gathering will take place at a later date.
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