Regina S. Miller

Regina Miller, 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 13th, 2013.

Regina Miller was born in Paris France June 12th, 1925. She was the mother of two children, Pat and Anthony, and the stepmother to Georgia and Ronald.

Regina experienced many hardships growing up in a county that was going through a deep depression where many lived in poverty. At the age of eight, Regina and her five year old sister were placed into a foster home because her mother could not support and take care of them. The family who cared for them owned a farm. Here Regina worked on the foster family’s farm cleaning barns, milking and taking care of the cows, churning butter plus getting water for the family out of the well. Housework was done before and after school each day. Walking to school took about an hour each day.

Regina’s mother lived far away and was only able to visit once a year. At age 11 Regina’s mother married her new step-father and they went to visit the girls on the farm. Seeing their living conditions and how they were treated, they brought them back to Paris with them.

France and her people continued to suffer during the war. When the war was over she remembers soldiers marching through the streets of Paris. They threw chocolate bars and their K rations to the people, knowing how hungry the people were in the city.

Later that year during Christmas, the French people were asked to open their homes to the American soldiers. Regina’s parents invited three soldiers to join them for Christmas. Regina met and fell in love with one of them. She married, and lived in Europe until 1950, when they came to America. They eventually moved to California where her husband passed away. She remained single for five years and then met and Married George Miller in 1961. After about seven years they both yearned for Religion. Regina joined the LDS Church and was baptized in 1968. They both became very active in the Church and were later sealed in 1970 in the Los Angeles Temple.

Regina and George moved to Mendon, Utah from California in 1978. They both worked for Cache County School District driving bus. Regina was the first female bus driver in Cache Valley. She loved to work in the yard and also crocheted beautiful baby items and shawls. She was a talented artist and loved to paint.

During their time in Mendon, Regina would often be asked to speak to school classes and religious groups about her first hand experiences during the war. One thing she learned through her experiences was that “even though I now have plenty to eat and wear, I’m grateful for every little crumb and piece of clothing. This gratitude I feel adds joy to everything in my life.”

Regina and George blessed everyone who came in contact with them as they tried to make this small corner of the world a better place for everyone. Regina would often say how she missed her “Georgie” and how he was the best man she ever met. After 10 years apart they are together again.

Regina was preceded in death by her husband, George, sons Pat and Anthony and step-son Ronald.

We would like to thank the Sunshine Terrace staff who helped care for Regina in the “Memory Lane” wing. We feel that God has blessed all of you with the ability to be angles to those we love. Thank you.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the LDS missionary fund.

Graveside services will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday April 20th at the Mendon City Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 10-11 AM at the Mendon Stake Center, 460 South 100 East in Mendon prior to the services. Condolences and thoughts may be expressed to the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net .