Freda A Miller

Freda Arajakis Miller was born December 14, 1937 in Weirton, West Virginia to Mabel Keller and Mamet Arajakis. She grew up with her two older sisters, Sally and Charmaine. During her senior year at Steubenville High School, she received a letter from an Army soldier by the name of Donald R. Miller who had been given her address by her sister, Sally, and they began a 2-year correspondence by mail. They then first met in person during the Christmas holiday when Donald made an 8 hour drive to Philadelphia where Freda was in nursing school and then drove her home to Steubenville, Ohio. After Freda returned to nursing school when the holiday was over, she was wearing an engagement ring. Donald and Freda were married on February 27, 1960. Their wedding and early years were largely shaped by Donald’s multiple tours overseas. Michael, Mark, Marshal, and Donna were born during this time. Freda, with the support of her sisters, raised the children while Donald had tours in Korea and Vietnam. Together, she and Donald worked hard to make sure her children had childhoods that they had not been able to experience. She made sure all the children learned piano, and music was a big part of her influence on her children that continue to this day. She was a group leader while the boys were in Boy Scouts. She also enjoyed making their Halloween costumes. Every other year, she loved getting to journey back with her family to West Virginia to visit her sister Sally, her brother Mick, and other family there. All the children have fond memories of the visits to California to see her sister Charmaine.

She was very proud of her work as a nurse and was dedicated to the patients, families, and colleagues that she served. She worked for many years at Penrose Hospital and then with Penrose Home Health. She eventually specialized as an ostomy and wound care nurse. She was well respected in this specialty and was sought after to take care of the most challenging cases. She loved helping people.

Freda loved the after-holiday sales, a spontaneous stop by a garage sale, and a good weekend flea market. She loved her holiday baking, and a big family favorite was her special Nut cookies. Her friends, especially her social circle she referred to as the Pearls, were very dear to her.

All her grandchildren were very important to her. She loved when the ones who lived far away would come for a visit or when she got to visit them. In between times, she loved updates on the children's adventures growing up. Tucking away treasures she found during her shopping excursions for when she saw them the next time was a delight. She was especially close to Justin who spent a lot of time in her home as he grew up.

Her journey within the Catholic faith began as a child when she and her sisters were cared for by nuns within a Catholic orphanage. It was important to her to guide her own children in their spiritual journey, and she ensured they all had their beginnings with baptism, first communion, and confirmation within the Catholic church.

Freda passed away on March 16, 2026. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, sisters, her husband, and oldest son, Michael. She is survived by her brother Mick, sister Nancy, sons Mark (Kathy) and Marshal (Kimberly) and her daughter Donna Roe, her grandchildren, Kaley, Justin, Darby, Mason, Cadence, and Max, and a great-grandson, Nathan.

A memorial will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at Bear Creek Park, 1950 S. 21st Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado CO 80906 at 12:00 P.M. Pavilion #7. The family invites you to bring a favorite covered dish, if you would like, and most importantly a treasured memory you may have of Freda.