Thelma Elaine Miller

August 8, 1915 - March 21, 2016

Thelma Elaine (Moser) Miller 100 years 7 months and 13 days It is with deepest grief that we announce the death of our beloved mother, Thelma Elaine (Moser) Miller, 100 years young. She peacefully slipped the chains of this earth on March 21, 2016 with her loving family at her side. There will never be another on this earth who means more to us or who could ever fill her shoes. Thelma was born on August 8, 1915 to Lena Joy (Light) Moser and Gerhardt Paul Moser in Putnam County, Riley Township, Pandora , Ohio. She graduated from Gunckel Elementary School in 1929, Libbey High School, class of 1934, and then began her study of nursing at St. Vincent’s Hospital, graduating in 1938. In 1940 she and Frederick Anthony Miller were married and then her dream of a large family began. Thelma, a private duty nurse for over 40 years devotedly balanced her family life and her care of the sick. Not learning to drive until she was 55 she spent much time walking and waiting for the bus to take her to work. Always looking to be fit and trim, she was a fan of exercise and healthy living. She was the first “Martha Stewart”, preparing the most beautiful dishes, garnishing them with her favorite parsley and teaching her children the fine art of domestication. Always smiling and up-beat, she was a shining example to all of us and we will keep her in our hearts forever. Her life-long motto was “if you can’t say anything nice about someone, don’t say anything at all”. Her kindness and devotion to her family was evident each and every day. She thought of others and never herself. She and Fritz bowled in a Ma and Pa league for many years and spent some winters in Florida. When she was 80, she traveled to Europe, began organ lessons and painting classes and had two of her works displayed at the Toledo Museum of Art. Fritz was chronically ill for many years and she lovingly cared for him as no one else would ever do. He was the head of the house but she was it’s heart. Her husband Fritz, after 66 years of marriage, and their infant son Joseph, preceded her in death. She is survived by their loving children, Antoinette (James) Moriarty, Susan Dzikowski, Frederick (Lynn), Dawn (John) Ando, Prudence (Woody) Jefferys, Marc (Janet), Timothy (Carole); grandchildren, Colleen (Tim) Barnhart, Kathleen (Shawn) Williams, James Moriarty II (fiancé Shayla Bell), Patrick Moriarty (fiancé Kelly Stobba), Annette Sakai, Deanna (Erik) Evans, Brian and Eric Miller, Kimberli and Christopher (Theresa) Ando, Trevor (Sherice) Miller, Holly Litchkowski, Matthew (Gabriella) Jefferys, Joseph (Rochelle) Staccone, Elizabeth (Steve) Wells, and Erica (Jeffrey) Tyburski; great-grandchildren Megan (Brandon) Prowant, Caitlin Brannan; Sean, Ryan, Kate and Madeline Barnhart; Peter, Stephen, John, Kevin; and Mary Sofia Therese Williams;, Lauren, Olivia and Hunter Moriarty; Amanda, Brett, Samantha and Brooklyn Litchkowski, Gabriel Staccone, Carter and Ellie Wells, Jeffrey and Hillary Tyburski. The family would like to thank D’Arcy, Maureen and Caitlinfor their compassionate care. A private service will be held at Ansberg-West Funeral Home with burial in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. The family wishes donations be sent to Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Mom, we will be with you soon. Please keep your loving arms around us until we meet again. FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS. “…In the rising of the sun and in its going down, we remember you. In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we remember you. In the opening of the buds and the rebirth of spring, we remember you. In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we remember you. In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we remember you. In the beginning of the year and when it ends, we remember you. When we are weary and in need of strength, we remember you. When we are lost and sick at heart, we remember you. When we yearn to share, we remember you. So long as we live, you too shall live, for you are a part of us, we remember you.”