Doris J Miller

Doris June (Harrison) Miller, 84, of North Babylon, NY, died on Thursday, October 24, 2013, at Good Samaritan Hospital, West Islip, N.Y. Doris was born on June 20, 1929, on Staten Island, NY, to Richard and Catherine Harrison. She was married to Charles Edward Miller from July 3, 1948 until his death on June 21, 1997. Doris is survived by her children: son Christopher Charles Miller and daughter-in-law Janet of Falls Church, VA, son Charles Edward Miller and daughter-in-law Cheryl of North Babylon, NY, and son Robin Richard Miller, daughter-in-law Lisa, grandson James Harrison and granddaughter Kate Margaret of Bay Shore, NY. She is survived by her brother Donald G. Harrison and sister-in-law Edie of Roanoke, VA, and is pre-deceased by sister Marie Madeline Harrison Schwenn and brothers Robert Joseph Harrison and Richard Henry “Buddy” Harrison. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Carol Harrison and Anita Harrison, and several nieces and nephews.

Doris graduated from Andrew Jackson High School, Queens, NY, in 1947 and attended area community colleges while raising a family. She was accepted at Nursing School, which was what she greatly desired for her life’s career, but was disqualified for a spot on her lung, later determined to be inconsequential. Throughout her diverse worklife she was employed as a dental assistant for Doctors Giliberti and Dattner, and in payroll and accounting for Pinter Trucking and for Shore Fuel Oil. She retired from the payroll department at Southside Hospital, Bay Shore, NY after nearly a decade there.

Doris spent virtually all of her married years raising her family in North Babylon, NY after moving there in 1953 from Queens.

Doris loved all things royal, and was an avid collector of Diana, Princess of Wales memorabilia. On a trip to England after Princess Diana’s death, Doris enjoyed a “Princess Diana” tour, visiting many locations where Diana lived, taught school, and snuck the young princes, William and Harry, out of Kensington Palace. Doris particularly loved Diana’s dedication to being a mother of young boys, much like herself. While Doris’s boys were growing up, she volunteered with Cub Scouts and helped with her sons’ Boy Scout troops.

Doris was a voracious reader of history, politics, British royal families and romance and was happy spending time engrossed in a wonderful story. She was a fan of working puzzles, including crossword puzzles.

With a passion for traveling, Doris saw much of the United States by motorcycle and trailer with husband Charlie. She loved cruising, and visited the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Scandinavia, along with several land trips to Europe and even China.

Her extensive collection of Playbills show her great love of the theater. Doris herself was “a class act”, who loved her family and friends above all. Her spunk, humor and friendship will be sorely missed by all who loved her.