Phyllis Joan Joan Miller

JOAN BOURGAIN MILLER, born Phyllis Joan Bourgain on July 2, 1933, to Guy and Elizabeth Weller Bourgain in Sterling, Kansas died of complications of Parkinson’s Disease on December 27, 2012, in Bellaire (Houston), Texas.

She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Anne Miller and son-in-law, Brian E. Riewe of Smithville, Texas, and many wonderful cousins and extended family. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 51 years, Milton Perry Miller. They met when he moved to Sterling, at age 16. Who knew then that the handsome athlete and the skinny, curly haired girl he teased would fall in love?

Surrounded by both the Bourgain and Weller clans, Joan had a wonderful base of family and a realistic outlook that supported and sustained her all her life.

Joan enrolled in Emporia State University to become a teacher but returned home a few hours shy of graduating when her father was diagnosed with bone cancer. She worked in Sterling at the high school and in Wichita. By then, Milt had enrolled in Sterling College, but his education was interrupted when he left to serve in the U.S. Army in Korea. Upon his return, Milt re-enrolled in Sterling College. After graduating and establishing himself in his career, Joan and Milt married in Sterling on July 28, 1957.

Catherine or “Cath” or “Cathy, as she was called by her family was born in Sterling and after a brief transfer to Alva, Oklahoma, the family moved to Houston, Texas, where they remained.

Joan’s mother, Elizabeth, moved to Houston shortly after they arrived and continued her life-long work in nursing, specializing in geriatric nursing. Joan worked for a brief time upon arrival in Houston, but not again until Cath graduated from high school.

In the late 1970’s, Joan enrolled in a dog obedience class in order to train Scotty, their young Irish Setter. Scotty was a big change from the dachshunds that previously had filled the house. That class became one that continued for years with Joan graduating from student to teacher of the class. Joan took that light-headed Irish Setter to obedience and tracking trials, receiving his C.D and T.D. She and Milt then fell in love with the Belgian Tervuren breed and Sunnie joined the household. In 1984, Joan was awarded the highest obedience honor: a Dog World, with Sunnie, She won her first three trials with the highest scores in the trials. More honors would follow as she competed in obedience trials, scent and herding trials with Sunnie, Tessa and Dragon.

Known to her family and friends as “Joanie”, she had many lifelong friends she loved dearly. She was an avid bowler and played tennis for many years. Milt had glorious vegetable gardens, but Joan was passionate about her flower gardens. Day trips searching for plants were common and often as not more laughter was harvested than plants were found. While Milt and Cath were the signers in the family, she always joined in during their many road trips, then would sit back and listen to Milt and Cath harmonize. She was passionate about college basketball and football.

Joan was a woman of strong faith and was a member of the Bethany Christian Church where their friends were members. Her faith and realist attitude was an inspiration to all around her as she fought her disease.

A private memorial service will be held at the Houston National Cemetery, Houston, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in remembrance of Joan to Therapy Pet Pals of Texas, 3930 Bee Cave Road, Suite C, Austin, Texas 78746, or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at www.MichaelJFox.org.