Obituary: Shirley Virginia Miller, 79, The Dalles
Shirley Virginia Miller, 79, passed away on March 28, 2024, from Alzheimer’s disease. She was a gifted artist, pianist, and master gardener who lived to share her love of these passions with others.
Celebration of Life will be held on April 20th at 4:00 PM at Bargeway Event Center. Guests may be dropped off at the Event Center entrance but please park vehicles in the event overflow parking area unless needing to use disabled parking. A private interment of Shirley with her mother, Mable Virginia Savage, will be held at Odd Fellows Cemetery in The Dalles, OR.
Shirley was born April 5, 1944, on the third-floor maternity ward of Mid-Columbia Hospital downtown The Dalles to Duane Delbert and Mable Virginia (Savage) Miller. She graduated from The Dalles High School in 1962 and studied art at Portland State University and Oregon State University. Shirley signed her work Shirle’ in remembrance of her mother “who was my first believer and encouraged me to enjoy my gift.” Shirley shared with us “I have loved to draw for as long as I can remember. Even as a child, the best Christmas gift every year was a big new box of Crayola Crayons.”
Her art mediums included oils, watercolors, pastels, printmaking, sculpture, floral arrangements, and pottery but it was her work in colored pencils where she was most comfortable. Her Coloring book of The Dalles, Oregon still adorns several local family shelves. In 1999, she was honored when her “Smokey Joe - Dream Builder” pastel was chosen to be displayed in Oregon State’s Capitol Rotunda. Her commissioned children, floral, landscape, and pet portraits hang throughout our community. Her art has been displayed at prominent locations throughout the Northwest including Bush Barn Art Center, The Dalles Art Center, and Columbia Art Gallery.
Shirley was a long-time member of OSU Master Gardener, Friends of the Rose Garden, and P.E.O. Chapter Q. She was a founding member of the Veterans’ Honor Garden located at Sorosis Park. As a recipient of a P.E.O. Scholarship, she had made it a lifelong commitment to show her thanks through active membership and support of philanthropic education of women.
Shirley will be remembered by many for her shenanigans and sometimes witty innocent responses. In a Community Spotlight interview, she was asked “What do you consider your best kept secret?” and without hesitation, she answered, “I can’t tell you.” Still on a roll she was asked “What would surprise people if they knew it about you? “To which she quickly replied “No surprises here. I’ve lived here too long.”
Preceded in death by parents Duane and Mable “Ginni” Miller, brother Richard “Dick” Miller, and Aunt Wyona Jones. Her companions and best friends Spicey, Skip and Bear.
Shirley is survived by her children and their families: Kevin and Jamie Bailey (KatelynBailey and Oscar Anaya, Jace, Kiersten, and Azarah Bailey, McKenna Bailey and Duncan Wilcox, and Delaney Bailey), Diana Bailey (Grandpups Teal and Cooper), and Donna Bailey (Samantha, Benjamin, MacCord, Jack, Ruth, and Penelope Howrey and Ashley, Matthew, Pepper, Theodore, Sophie, and Scarlett Alexander). Sister-in-law Peggy Miller and John Willmorth, nephew Bob and Rene Miller, niece Debbie and Jamie Winters (Jacob, Jenna, Jessi, and Joshua). Best Friends Sara and Mike DeBolt. Kenneth and Shirley Bailey. All the extended Bailey family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to:
P.E.O. Chapter Q Education Scholarships. Please make checks payable to PEO Chapter Q and write on the Memo line “In Memory of Shirley Miller.” Mail to Diana Bailey at 1416 Nevada St., The Dalles, OR 97058, or to The Dalles Art Center mail directly to P.O. Box 1026, The Dalles, OR 97058.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in Shirley’s online guestbook at Anderson’s Tribute Center.
