August 23, 1924 – August 8, 2014
Southwick – Mary Amalia (Anderson) Miller, 89, passed away peacefully in Concord, NH, on August 8, 2014. Mary was born in Westfield, MA, the daughter of the late Sidney and Esther Anderson and raised in Southwick; she graduated from Westfield High School and Bay Path Junior College. As a young child and woman she attended Pilgrim Covenant Church, often playing the organ during worship.
Mary formed many long lasting friendships through her affiliation with the church. She was the bookkeeper for the Springfield Armory during WWII and various other companies. Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband Leon in 1981. Shortly thereafter, she relocated and resided with her best friend and devoted daughter Gail Poitrast and her husband Dennis in Grafton, NH. Mary and Dennis had a special loving relationship and had many “field trips” together. Sadly, Dennis predeceased Mary in 2007. Most recently Gail and Mary resided in Henniker, NH.
Mary is survived by her daughter Gail of Henniker, NH; her beloved son Dean and his wife Mary Jane of Southwick, MA; her granddaughter Shannon Adamo and her husband Peter, also of Henniker NH; and her grandson Daniel Poitrast of Killington, VT. Sadly, she was predeceased by her grandchildren Melissa Jo Miller in 2000 and Mark M. Ouellette in 2010. She is also survived by her cherished great-grandchildren Madison, Elizabeth, Annabel, Peter III, and Gretchen. Also surviving Mary are her siblings, brother Robert Anderson of Amherst, MA, and her sister Clara Brown of Southwick.
Mary was proud of her Swedish heritage. One of the many things she enjoyed was knitting, and being a master knitter, the family is blessed to have so many beautiful pieces of her work to treasure. She also enjoyed gardening, baking (expert chocolatier), watching golf and NASCAR, listening to music, reading, building beautiful puzzles, and painting. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family.
A Memorial Service, officiated by Reverend Dennis Anderson, for Mary will be held on Saturday, August 23rd at 11 AM in New Cemetery, 354 College Highway, Southwick. Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please consider a Memorial Donation in Mary’s memory to The Concord VNA, The Slusser Center, 30 Pillsbury Street, Concord, NH 03301 or online at www.crvna.org. For more information, please visit www.forastierefuneralhome.com.
