Ione K. “Nani” Miller, a retired business owner and inspirational member of our community, reunited with her life partner, Jack, when she passed away peacefully at 11:11pm on New Year’s Day, 2019.
Born in Sacramento on September 16, 1921 to George B. Klinder and Theresa A. Johnson. Ione grew up in the “fabulous forties” neighborhood and was an avid traveler and lover of the arts from a very early age. She attended Sacramento High School and went on to Stanford University, where she met Jack, her husband of 66 years.
Jack and Ione bounced around various towns in California before landing in Carmel in 1947. Jack, being a contractor, and Ione, being a savvy relationship-builder, entered the real estate business. Together they founded their company, San Carlos Agency Inc. in 1954, and quite literally, built their family and their firm in our beautiful and lucrative area. They were the best example of the ‘greatest generation’ – hard-working, humble, generous, embodying the true fabric of what it meant to be an American in the second-half of the twentieth century. They entrenched themselves in a community that still honors their gifts and contributions today. Jack built the houses, Ione managed and cleaned them; it was a true American success story founded on honesty, grit, hard work, family, and the pursuit of a successful life, or as many would describe it, the American Dream.
In addition to her career, Ione was an active member of the community for over 70 years. While serving as President of various directorships and committees including the Children’s Home Society, the Monterey Symphony Guild, and All Saints’ Church. She was actively involved in supporting the Carmel Youth Center, YMCA youth programs, as well as Girl and Cub Scouts for her three children.
Retirement is truly where Ione bloomed and her interests soared. A lover of the arts, you could find her every Sunday at the symphony, hosting multiple French classes each week, or in the first five rows of every Best of Broadway show that came through San Francisco. Along with her aunt, Agnes Weismann, Ione traveled the world. She loved cruises and was fortunate enough to be a passenger on the Concorde for its inaugural around the world tour. When she wasn’t taking in new cultures and experiences, she was found exercising. Second only to her beloved Pebble Beach home was the Beach Club, where she would do multiple yoga and pilates classes per day. Her family would like her admirers to know that she was still doing headstands at 90+ years old. Outside of her community, Ione loved the islands and the mountains and would travel to both Kauai and Lake Tahoe often. She was an avid skier and hiker and you could find her on the slopes and the trails well into her 80’s.
While it was Ione’s work ethic that distinguished her, her passion for culture and the arts that energized her, it was her relationships with others that she cherished most and came to define her. She humorously became known as the “Queen” of Pebble Beach and it was her unadulterated kindness and quick wit that drew everyone to ‘Mrs. Miller.’ She was a ‘Mom’ to so many more than her children and had a personality, spirit and smile matched by few. Simply put, she truly loved life and everyone in it. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Ione is survived by her sons Jay Miller (Valerie) and Raymond Miller, Sr. (Susy); daughter, Tina Britton; three grandsons, Raymond Miller, Jr. (Blenda), Jonathan Miller and Jack Britton; two great-grandsons, Mateo Miller and Santiago Miller; step-granddaughters, Lisa Britton and Lori Pfeiffer (James); cousin, Michael Goldie; adopted family Elvira Hernandez and her son, George Zarate.
Ione personally would like to thank all of her extended family at the Beach Club and the Lodge at Pebble Beach who kept such a keen eye on her since Jack’s passing in 2010. At Ione’s request, there will be no official services held but a toast will be done at the AT&T Pro-Am, her favorite party of the year.
The Miller-Britton family would like to thank Dr. Hudgens, Dr. Kehl, caregivers and friends Tai Maposua and MaryAnn Gent, and the very kind and thoughtful nurses at CHOMP for their excellent care and devotion throughout the final years, months, and days of Ione Miller's life. In lieu of flowers, it is Ione’s request that any donations be sent to All Saints’ Episcopal Church, the Pebble Beach Company Foundation, Robert Louis Stevenson School, or a local charity of choice. Please visit www.thepaulmortuary.com to sign Ione's guest book and leave messages for her family.
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