Susan Miller, well-respected and loved Samish Island teacher, artist, history writer, community leader and advocate passed away June 21, 2020 at age 77.
She was born in Aberdeen, WA on February 19, 1943 to Verne and Mercedes Hayertz. She grew up for most of her childhood in Centralia, WA, the second oldest of four siblings. Susan helped run the family’s corner grocery store on Sundays and made dinner for the family during the week while her parents were working, honing the cooking skills she became known for. During her high school years she was active in groups including Girl Scouts, drill team and Rainbow Girls, a Masonic youth service organization which teaches leadership training through community service. She was chosen as the Rainbow Girls leader, ‘Worthy Advisor.’ She graduated from Centralia High School in 1961 as class Salutatorian. Susan attended Centralia Community College for two years and transferred to Washington State University at Pullman, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Teaching degree in 1965.
In 1965 Susan began her teaching career as a English and French instructor at Burlington Edison High School. After earning her fifth-year certificate at Western Washington University in early childhood education, she taught for the LaConner School District Head Start program, working with children and families in the Swinomish Community. Susan opened her own preschool, “Samish Island Preschool,” in 1973, and for twenty-five years brought happy learning to a generation of Samish Island children. Children were drawn to her and brought her joy. She followed her students' lives and their educational progress, keeping an album of photos and articles about them. Susan also taught for a number of years as coordinator and English instructor for a Japanese exchange summer program during the 1980’s. She encouraged her own daughters to be self-sufficient by attending college, following in her and her mother’s footsteps. Susan also established a scholarship for women entering college as older students at Centralia Community College and another for art students at Western Washington University.
Susan married Fred Miller, a longtime Burlington resident, on July 5, 1967. Susan and Fred raised their three daughters Jeanene, Kristina (Krissy) and Abigail (Abby) on Samish Island, and were married for nearly fifty-three years. Susan devoted herself to her family, leading by example how to raise children for a grounded, self-fulfilled life. Cooking, art projects, making what was needed, holiday traditions and homemade gifts were core elements of the family life that Sue created. Family was central to her life.
Susan was a quiet leader and catalyst in the community, the one who spoke directly and honestly to get things done. She organized “Playday” groups for local mothers and their young children, in addition to arranging regular ‘coffee time’ for her preschool’s parents. Networks of longtime friends originated from these groups. She was a founder of the Samish Island Arts Festival, which she organized for many years and participated in all twenty-three years since its inception. She and Fred co-authored and edited Samish Island: A History From the Beginning to the 1970’s, contributing all profits to scholarships and the Samish Island Community Club.
Throughout her life, Susan expressed her artistic talents prolifically. Susan reflected the beauty of nature around her in her art: designing stained glass windows and lamp-shades, fabric art, needle point, basketry, pottery, quilts, wall hangings and more. Susan fashioned her home into a comfortable and aesthetically rich haven filled with art and surrounded by roses and other flowers. Susan had unlimited creativity; she always had a project in the works and others in her mind. Susan also advocated for arts education.
She loved reading novels and solving sudoku and crossword puzzles. She was a devoted Mariners fan; many of her quilts were made watching the games. The last twelve years, Susan was a cookie-baking, Halloween-costume-making, art-project-arranging grandma who talked politics with and loved her grandson, Torin, with endless depth.
Susan’s quiet but direct manner, love, and artistry live on in the hearts of her family and many others: her husband, Fred; daughters Jeanene and Kristina (Darren Kavanagh); sister, Leslie Hayertz (Brian Jelgerhuis), and brother Glenn Hayertz (Robin); grandson, Torin Kavanagh; aunt, Georgine Herring; sister-in-law, Marilynne Halkola; nieces, Meg Hayertz (Alan Clark), Amy Hayertz, Erica Wingard (Iain), Brenda Hanson Taylor; nephews, Keith Hanson (Cindy) and Jacob Hayertz (Zina), Eric Hayertz, Carl Hayertz, and many cousins, great nieces and great-nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Verne and Mercedes Hayertz; her daughter Abigail Miller Busche and son-in-law Ryan Busche; and by her brother David Hayertz.
Susan’s family would like to thank the doctors and staff of Skagit Valley Hospital for their significant efforts and for the caring way in which they supported both her and the family during Susan’s last days.
The family also appreciates the way the community has expressed their deep affection and respect for the gifts Susan offered her community and her presence in their lives.
Artist. Teacher. Mother. Community mainstay. Role model. Advocate. She gave her best and will be remembered through her many contributions and in the lives of those she nurtured.
Please remember Susan by contributing to the Abigail Miller Bushe Art Scholarship at WWU, by donating to your local food bank or groups promoting women’s health and self-sufficiency, by holding your loved ones close, by believing in your own artistry and by bringing the beauty of art into your lives.
