Lucille Miller

Lucille was born to Gilberto and Socorro Valeriano. She was the oldest of five children. Lucille grew up in Pico Rivera and was a graduate of El Rancho High School. She was a member of the Dons flagsters and proudly shared that she was the first Latina flagster at El Rancho. Lucille also participated in the Pico Rivera G.I. Forum and was on the pageant court.

She met Jerry Miller while attending East Los Angeles College. The first time she set eyes on Jerry, she told her best friend “That is the man I’m going to marry.” They fell in love and were married in 1968. They resided in Pico Rivera and had 6 children. Jerry and Lucille were very involved with Marriage Encounter and inspired many other couples to grow in their marriage.

Lucille was a loving mother and very involved with her children’s activities. She was a proud member of the “Twins Club” and was an active parent at the John Tracy Clinic. She was president of the Parent Club for St. Marianne School. She was also the school secretary there for several years.

Lucille was an active and long-time parishioner at St. Mariana de Paredes in Pico Rivera. Lucille and Jerry were on the Parish Council for several years and were original members of the Family Life group ministry. She was also a lector and active in several ministries.

Lucille worked for Northrop for several years until moving on to work for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in the office of Vicar for Clergy. Lucille enjoyed her 28 years working at the Archdiocese and made many life-long friends there until her retirement in 2014.

Lucille and Jerry were married for 41 years. They spent much of their marriage raising their children and traveling together with friends and family until Jerry’s death in November, 2009. She was an eternal optimist and always saw the good in people. Lucille was a great cook and everyone loved her dishes. Her favorite pastimes included spending time with family and friends, scrap booking, visiting tea houses, watching novelas, singing, traveling, shopping, and dining out. She also enjoyed the friendship and activities of her Red Hat Society.

Lucille was a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed in 1998. Her bravery through this illness was an inspiration to all. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in May 2014 and bravely lived life to the fullest for as long as she could. Her last years were spent with her family and friends making wonderful memories. Lucille had a kind and generous nature, a joy for life, a smile that was infectious, and deep faith in God. She lost her battle to cancer at home on January 20, 2016 while surrounded by her family. Lucille is survived by her children August Miller, Anita Ruiz, Angela Galaviz, Renee Thomas, Gabriel Miller, Veronica Romero, 9 grandchildren, and 1 great-granddaughter.

She will be warmly greeted in heaven by those who have passed before her and dearly missed by those she left behind.