Ryan Patricia Kastl Miller

Tricia was born in Oklahoma City on May 19, 1978 and spent her childhood between New Orleans, Miami, and New York City. She graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart in 1996. She went on to earn Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communications from Loyola University New Orleans and then earned her Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law as part of one of the “Katrina” classes disrupted by the events of Hurricane Katrina.

Tricia’s greatest love and joy were for her four children, who she placed above all else.

Even though Tricia was born with Cerebral Palsy, she refused to let it stop her from achieving her goals. Instead, her physical struggles imbued her with an unmatched compassion and respect for all, particularly the underserved and disenfranchised. During her time in law school, she served others by volunteering with the Loyola Katrina Clinic, which provided legal services to those impacted by Hurricane Katrina. For her commitment to social justice for the disadvantaged, she was awarded the Gillis Long Public Service Award in 2007. Tricia continued her commitment to serving others through her work with the Junior League of New Orleans, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Second Harvest Food Bank, and elsewhere.

From her own experiences with chronic medical conditions, she became a fierce advocate, and shoulder to cry on, for others with difficult medical conditions.

Friends and family will remember her for her creativity, style, and sense of fun. Whether it was an overnight trip to see her favorite band (Depeche Mode), planning extra-special birthday parties for her kids (such as the wig-themed French Quarter party and the themed sleepover parties), trips out to sample new desserts, walking in the Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc, or even parasailing with her kids, Tricia always sought out new experiences for herself and her family.

Perhaps attributable to her love of mystery and suspense (particularly the works of Stephen King), she will also be remembered for her uncanny ability to know the plot twist of every story well before the reveal. It was truly remarkable.

Those who knew her well will also remember her love for Pugs, which was contagious.

One of Tricia's fondest memories was visiting the Holy Land, where she visited the City of Petra and served as a participant in a baptism in the River Jordan performed by Father Harry Thompson, who she loved, and who remarked that it was one of the greatest moments of his career.

Tricia also attended Camp Monterey in Monterey, Tennessee for many years and shared many fond memories of her Monterey sisters.

Tricia is survived by her husband of fifteen years, J. Matthew Miller III, and her four daughters, Martine, Marigny, Marcelle, and Margaux, her parents, Dr. David Kastl and Dr. Dian Evans Kastl, her brother, Shea Kastl, her nephew, Zachary Kastl, her in-laws, Dr. Joseph M. Miller Jr. and Ann Leak Miller, her sister-in-law, Melissa Miller Hughes, Dr. Ryan Hughes, her nieces, Grace Hughes and Margaret Hughes, and a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and many devoted and dear friends.

Visitation will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home on Saturday, August 21, 2021 from noon-2pm, followed by a Catholic mass. Reception to follow. All attendees are required to wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Father Harry Thompson Center, Boys Hope-Girls Hope New Orleans, or the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.

Harry Thompson Center c/o Immaculate Conception Church

130 Baronne Street

New Orleans, Louisiana 70112

www.harrytompsoncenter.org

Boys Hope-Girls Hope New Orleans

P.O. Box 19307

New Orleans, Louisiana 70179

bhghnola.org

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.

www.aarda.org