Viola H. Miller

Viola H. Miller, 95, of Waverly, died Wednesday afternoon at Abington Manor Nursing Home. Her husband of 16 years was the late Fred Miller who died in 1992.

Born in Negaunee, MI, she was the daughter of the late Escott and Florence Henwood Harris. Viola was a 1937 graduate of Neguanee Public School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Michigan University in 1941. Forever a student with a desire for learning, she did graduate studies at the University of Michigan and after moving to Pennsylvania, the University of Scranton.

She taught commercial subjects in Mayville, Michigan after graduation; and during the war, took a year off to work at Wilcox-Rich Division of Eaton Mfg. as a drill press operator. She then returned to teaching at Negaunee High School.

When Viola moved to Scranton, she began her 20 year career at International Correspondence Schools. She worked her way up from being an instructor/writer to Director of the woman's division. She authored texts on indexing and filing, office procedures, office forms, report writing and how to be an instructor. She also developed a system of shorthand called "Alpha-hand" which was distributed nationally and internationally.

Following her years at ICS, she worked for the Department of Education in Harrisburg. She continued teaching, doing in-service training for state and local government workers, police, firemen, school secretaries, school board members and business managers. In 1974 she was installed as president of the National Association of Educational Secretaries. She also worked for the Public Service Division of Wilkes University, and was featured in an article in Parade Magazine entitled, "No Apple for This Teacher".

Viola also found time to learn to fly an airplane. Along with her husband, Fred, a CPA, they traveled to various locations in the United States mostly for pleasure, but occasionally in connection with their work activities. In recent years, she was doing in-store demonstrations promoting products, distributing product information and samples of items on a part time basis. She was a regular demo at Sam's Club on Saturdays.

She was a member of Waverly United Methodist Church where she served as president of church council, member of staff parish and trustees. She was a certified lay speaker and served on conference committees. She was a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Negaunee Chapter #100. She was appointed as honorary Ringmaster of Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus, was a special guest at Heathrow's 50th Anniversary Celebration where she met Queen Elizabeth. She was also commissioned Honorary Texas Citizen by the governor of Texas; and honorary Citizen of Ybor City, Florida and recognized by the Florida Association of Educational Secretaries for outstanding service.

She is survived by her "adopted families, Norman T. "Pastor Ted" and Holly Faux & family, as well as Shirley Rosencrance & family; and many friends and cousins.

The "family" would like to thank the staff of the 3rd floor at Abington Manor for the excellent care Viola received during her time there, as well as Hospice of the Sacred Heart.

Viola always had a special place in her heart for animals and it was her wish that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in her name to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Rd., So. Abington Twp., PA 18411; or contributions may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 100 William St., Dunmore, PA 18512.

Services will be held at a later date.

Friends may call on Wednesday from 5 to 7 pm at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit, PA.