Katherine Miller

Katherine “Kay” Flynn Miller, beloved mother, “Debbie,” sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 25th, 2024. Kay was born on August 18, 1942, to Grace and Thomas Flynn in Kingston, PA. She was raised in Kingston alongside her brother, Rut, and sisters, Judy and Marilyn. Kay attended West Side Central Catholic High School, then went on to Marywood University as an education major. Throughout her career, Kay taught at various elementary schools, always leaving a positive mark on her students and colleagues.

While raising her young family, Kay moved from California to Michigan to West Virginia and eventually settled in Wilmington, Delaware with her three beloved daughters, Kristin (Robert George), Allyson (Nate Andrisani), and Sarah (Charlie Gawthrop), and their father, Joseph Miller. In each of her moves, Kay fully immersed herself in the community, joining bridge clubs and bowling leagues, volunteering for “Meals on Wheels,” and even teaching swim lessons to the neighborhood children. Kay’s sense of adventure made these moves fun and memorable for her family, resulting in lifelong friendships.

Travel and adventure were passions for Kay. Whether it was seeing a Broadway show in New York, or enjoying a pint of Guinness in London, Kay was always looking forward to her next adventure. Being close to the water was where Kay was happiest. Her love for the water started as a child in Harvey’s Lake and continued with yearly trips to Marco Island, FL. Travel and adventure were passions of Kay, who jumped out of an airplane and swam with the dolphins.

Nothing made her happier than her summers on 62nd Street Beach in Avalon, NJ. On most days, Kay could be seen riding her beach cruiser, doing water aerobics with friends, preordering Kohler’s, or enjoying a good book on the beach. 62nd Street served as the hub of her true passion, being “Debbie” to her 9 beloved grandchildren – Alexa, Olivia, Sophia, Matthew, Charlie, Sam, Elizabeth, Lily, and Flynn. Countless memories were made around the kitchen table while playing games of “Left, Right, Center,” and enjoying meals from her favorite takeout restaurants (ideally with a hot caramel sundae from Avalon Freeze as dessert). Always one for a good time, with a hint of mischief, Debbie would often instigate water balloon fights and was known to ignore the lifeguard’s whistles on multiple occasions.

Debbie was adored by her friends and family and known by every checkout person in the tri-state area at Christmas. Her spirit will live on through a stocked candy drawer, catching a great wave, a bargain find at TJ Maxx, snap pretzels and Coke Zero for breakfast, and striking up a conversation with a stranger. She was the heart of our family and will live on through us every time we follow her mantra – “I hope you’re doing something fun.”

Kay’s life will be celebrated privately by her family with a service honoring her beautiful life, in Avalon, NJ. To honor her life, please do something kind for someone today.