Viola Miller

VIOLA CHESS MILLERViola Chess Miller was born May 22, 1930 in San Marino, California to parents Dr. and Mrs. James M. Chess. She died Sunday, March 3, 2013 at age 82. Viola is survived by husband, CDR John R. Miller, US Navy (Ret); daughters, Victoria M. Kight and Linda M. Thomas of Albuquerque; son, Kurt R. Miller; granddaughter, Jennifer and two great granddaughters, Evelyn and Genevieve of California; sister, Linda C. Moriarty. Vi was a 1948 graduate of South Pasadena - San Marino High School and a 1952 graduate of the University of New Mexico where she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity in 1949. Upon graduation Viola and John were married in Santa Fe, NM and she began her 26 year career as a Navy wife which took them to Hawaii, Virginia and various California port cities. John's Navy retirement brought them back to Albuquerque in 1978. During the years following she was a member and one-time chairman (yes, she insisted, chairman - not chair or chairwoman) of the Albuquerque Open Space program and was very involved in the effort to acquire and establish the Elena Gallegos recreation park and to protect the Westside escarpment from development. She continued her fraternity affiliation after graduation as an active alumna. Her lifetime interest in music led her to a longtime membership in the UNM University Chorus. Not to be overlooked was her oil and watercolor painting, poetry writing and a variety of social activities, both personal and church-related. The world and her community in it have lost a good person. Her family has lost a loving, faithful, protective, forgiving and sincere Rock of Gibraltar upon whom we all depended. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 16, 2013, 4:30 p.m. at St John Episcopal Cathedral, 318 Silver SW. Ennichement will take place at the Cathedral of St John Columbarium. Please visit our online guest book for Viola at Lomas Blvd NE505-275-3500