A Tribute from Jess Bowling

Jess Bowling said...

Ode to Gerry...

Gerry was one of us... There's no doubt about that. In an exhaustingly persistent and omnipresent sea of conformity, group-think and pretense, Gerry was always there with her unabashed wit and independent spirit.

An iconoclast in every sense of the word - she wouldn't think twice about espousing the philosophies of Buddha, while poking her head out of one of the notches of the Bible Belt.

She was a complex and lovely person who could remind you of how beautiful the world can be.

She could move you to tears with the paralyzing beauty of her calligraphic talents, while simultaneously inciting uncontrollable, convulsive laughter with a string of expletives that could make even the most hardened of sailors cringe in disbelief.

That was Gerry...

She was as wise as she was lovely and as lovely as she was wise. She had grace, she had style and, above all, she believed in the future.

She could talk of Native Americans' centuries old belief that we should live as a people who considered the outcomes of the next seven generations.

Cynicism was not her friend. In fact, I don't think it was ever allowed in her house - that "fucking Rose of Sharon," she would say.

They broke the mold when they made Gerry... I can safely say that for all of my travels, I've never met anyone quite like her.

To be in her presence was a treat and I savored every moment with her. She radically altered my naive conceptions of what getting older might be like. With Gerry, the idea of one turning 80 years old was less like Lawrence Welk and more like Studio 54.

Gerry rocked and I'll never forget her for it... She had more magic in a single fingernail than most have in their entire bodies.

October 29, 2008 7:33 PM

Happy Birthday

Today, Gerry Miller would have been 85 years old.

We love and cherish her memory.

Gerry's Calligraphy and more photos

Gerry,

24 West Gaston St.

Savannah

One Example of Gerry Miller's beautiful calligraphy is this transcription of a poem by D.H. Lawrence:

Click the parchment for a large detailed image

Gerry at Walden Books

Photographs from Steve Killian

Steve Killian took these wonderful photographs of our gathering to honor and say farewell to Gerry Miller. We spent three days at Mount Pisgah.

Steve's look at the Blue Ridge Mountains

Steve's look at the Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway - Jul 31, 2008 by Jak & Dar Our visit to the Mountains and Farewell to Gerry. Photos by Steve Killian View Album Play slideshow

Farewell

Friends and Family bid Gerry Miller farewell at the stream near the Waterfall close to Mount Pisgah. Jack, John, Darryl, Lee and Steve, Jocelin and Maggie, and Starr all gathered to scatter her ashes as she had wanted along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

More Photos

Gerry in Chicago
Admiring the cow

All Photos by Jack



Gerry in California








With son John in a garden in Maryland
And Christmas, 2007 at Johnny Harris
with John and son-in-law Darryl

Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway

A message from the Friends of the Blue Ridge parkway

http://www.blueridgefriends.org/

Dear Dr. Miller – Thank you for your email of June 25^th. I talked with you on the phone last week, I believe it was, and told you then that we had received one memorial gift for your mother from Steve and Lee Killian of Charlotte, NC. Also I sent you an acknowledgement card, addressed to your and your brother Johnny, stating the same.

The address people should use for the Memorial Gifts for your mother is: FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway

PO Box 20986

Roanoke, VA 24018

Yes, your mother was a member of FRIENDS for many years, and we also want to honor her memory. Her name will be written in gold on recyclable paper and distributed in the planting soil as a memorial tree is planted at our next Viewshed planting on the Parkway. Also, her name, and those that send in Memorial gifts in her name, will be listed in our Spring/Summer 2009 High Vista newsletter.

You mentioned earlier that you would like to become a member of FRIENDS. When you join you will automatically receive a copy of the High Vista newsletter through the mail twice a year. Also, by sending in your email address you will also receive an enewsletter every month, giving you updates as to what is happening along the Parkway. I am going to send you a FRIENDS brochure today.

A Gathering of Spirits: Gerry Miller 1923-2008

In a ceremony to honor Gerry Miller's spirit, many people gathered in Whitfield park around the lovely gazebo at 5 on Monday evening, June 9, 2008. John, Darryl, and I greeted residents of the Rose of Sharon, workers from Walden Books, where Gerry had worked over 20 years ago, numerous friends, and several relatives. Aunt Sarah, and Jack and Kathy Miller attended along with their close friends.

The brutal, humid heat gave way as frail, tall, elder Father Bill accepted an invitation from me to say a non-denominational prayer. He spoke with passion that heaven requires that we , however diverse, love and help one another.

Darryl's eloquence and experienced insight allowed him to present to the assembly the nobility, the worth and necessity of giving one's body to science and medicine, that the sacred cut of the doctor into real human flesh cannot be duplicated.

Darryl's praise for anatomy and medical research was followed by several personal stories such as Gerry teaching a young woman calligraphy. Others recounted kindness under the veneer of harsh language.

Workers from Walden Books recounted tales of her with customers, shocking them at times. Putting bibles beside the Joys of Sex, and having annoying organ music stopped.

As the accounts concluded, as I talked to Kathy of my Hawaiian shirt, a bird crapped, not sat, on my shoulder. The Italians say that is a blessing. Yea, just the sort my mother would bestow on me, keeping me from being pretentious. I'm O K with that.

In the future we hope to follow Gerry's wish that we scatter her ashes in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The photograph of this blog was taken there. May her spirit rest in peace.

Jack Miller

From Lee Killian

June 11, 2008

Jack, Johnny and Darryl, I hope all of you are doing ok. Your mom was one of the most colorful people I have ever known. She was also very passionate and caring. Needless to say she is the kind of person that anyone who knew her will never forgot.

Lee Killian (charlotte, NC)

Recent Comments

From Kathy Miller:

Dear Jack, John and Darryl,

I just finished reading all the letters in the Gerry Blog. They were all such wonderful and heartfelt tributes to her. She will certainly be missed by all who knew her because she refused to fit into the ordinary mold that most of us find ourselves in and for that we all marveled at her uniqueness and her spirit. She certainly was a colorful character and left a lasting footprint on this Earth. I am so very sorry for your loss and I am sure that there is a large void in your lives now that will remain silent and painful forever. I am sure that you have wonderful memories of your beautiful Mother that will help you through this sad period.

My love to you all,

Kathy



From Lisa Garriss:

Dear Jack,

Mom told me that your mother passed away last week. I am so sorry! I knew she was in the hospital.She was certainly a unique, colorful, vibrant character and I will miss seeing her when in Savannah. I'm sure her absence will leave a huge quiet spot in your life. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

Love,
Lisa


From the Leopolds:

It is with great sadness that we receive the news of Gerry's passing.......
We loved her spunky spirit and her beautiful calligraphy was unsurpassed by anyone I have ever met.
May she rest in peace and may you all live long and remember her. Please stop by the shop when ever you all are in town.
Let us know if there is anything that we can do. She will forever be in our hearts.

Love,

Stratton & Mary Leopold

Comments from Justin Waldman and KT Nachod

2008 06 09
Hi Jack
With great sorrow and some wonderful memories I read the eMail this morning concerning your dear mother's death.
I am very sad - for you especially - as the loss of one's mother is an especially difficult moment - it was for me. Mothers are perceived to be indestructible and their mortality is something of a shock, to say the least. I wrote to her a couple of months ago and never heard from her. I expect that her silence was all part of moving on.
I recalled this morning for my staff, and Denis at breakfast, those spectacular moments in New Orleans when she and I ended up in a porn shop, and after poking at the glass counter tops, she asked loudly of no one in particular, "What da'ya think that's for. It's SO BIG. It's SO PINK?" We opted for a badge, each, that said "Jesus loves you. Everyone else thinks you are an asshole". She had the courage to wear it around her home. I never did. I remember her glamourously tucking into a giant cream cake in New Orleans.
What a truly wonderful mother you had Jack. I remember her with great fondness. All the very best to you and Darryl. You're both in my thoughts, with lots of love.

Justin


Dear Jack and Darryl:

I am so very sorry to hear this sad news. I wish I could give y'all a big hug. I have so many happy and funny memories of Gerry, and I only saw her a few times, so I can only imagine the wonderful memories you both have. I hope they comfort you. I know this is just part of life, but losing someone as wonderful as Gerry sucks. There is definitely a good measure less of sparkle and pizazz in the world.

Just before I opened your e-mail, I was reading Mollie Ivins' "Bill of Wrongs." Now there is another feisty woman. Perhaps she and Gerry are knocking back a few and discussing the state of the world. We can only hope.

Much love,

KT

More Comments

From Jake Waldrop:

I will miss your mother. She was a remarkable, unique woman who was loyal, kind, artistic, and steadfast. She loved to shock convention and follow her own drummer, the world be damned. I'm sorry she died suddenly, but am grateful I got a chance to know her and to love her. She was a wave of emotion and great humor. She loathed hypocrisy and those who never recognized the absurdity of their own existence. While she had some regrets, she reveled in her connections with those who mattered the most to her. Enthusiastic, anecdotal, and devoted to causes beyond the temporal. She will be missed.

Love, Jake.

Guest Book Comments

Guest Book for
Gerry Miller
Page 1 of 1



June 10, 2008
I worked with Gerry at Waldenbooksand have very fond memories of her. I am sorry I just found out about her passing today and missed the gathering. She was a special lady.

Denese Duncan (Savannah, GA) Contact me

June 10, 2008
Jackie & Johnny, mom told me about Aunt Gerry........I'm so sorry that she's gone.... But at least she won't be suffering anymore. I know mom is very sad that she wasn't able get down there to see Gerry last week as she had planned. Just fyi, I took mom to the hospital Sunday morning for those spasms she's been experiencing in her back. She's still there and I'm hoping she can start physical therapy either today or tomorrow. I will keep you posted......Love,Debbie

Debbie Neal (Germantown, MD)

June 9, 2008
Jack and JohnSo sorry about the lose of your mom. Having known well through all these years and traveled with her to England and such she was surely one of a kind. and will be missed very much. Love and peace to all of the family.

Steve Killian (Charlotte)

June 9, 2008
Gerry may be gone but she will never be forgotten by those of us who knew and loved her. She was a true original. We'll miss her...

Jocelin & Maggie (Atlanta, GA)

June 8, 2008
The Hibernian Society of Savannah has lost its sweetheart as well as a talented calligrapher for our Annual Dinner invitations. Gerri was very special to our officers and to The Board of Stewards. We were all fortunate to have known and to have worked with her. She was wonderful and will be missed. Paul Jurgensen MDChairman, Bd. of Stewards, Hibernian Society of Savannah.

Paul Jurgensen MD (Savannah, GA) Contact me

June 8, 2008
I am so sorry to learn of Gerry's death. She was a wonderful friend to all of my family. She was so artistic and well read. I loved her sense of humor and will always remember her fondly. I will treasure the Christmas cards she sent me each year. I regret that I didn't see more of her in the past year. My condolences to Jack and John, my childhood friends. You're in my prayers. Becky Conaway Tedder

Becky Tedder (Savannah, GA) Contact me

June 8, 2008
I knew Gerry well. When we were at the "Out-post" or 1790, we would engage in conversations trying to pick each other's brain. She was great; extremely intelligent; personable and had many friends. She will be sorely missed by family and friends(that had the pleasure of knowing the real "GERRY"::"SONNY"

"SONNY" STRICKLAND (WILMINGTON ISLAND, GA) Contact me

June 8, 2008
John,So sorry to hear of your loss.You and yours will be in my prayers. We went to Savannah High together in the late 1960's. Hope you are doing well. Your picture in your Mom's blog cemented my notion that you were the John Miller I knew at good ole' SHS. I now live in Asheville and know why your Mom loved these mountains !!God blessJoey

Joey Kratzer (Asheville, NC)

Savannah Morning News Guestbook

Until July 4, you can sign Gerry Miller's Guestbook at:

http://www.legacy.com/Savannah/GB/GuestbookEntry.aspx?&PersonID=111177428

Photographs of Gerry Miller

Vivian Geraldine Miller

Son John, Gerry, and sister Marilyn
St. Patrick's Day

Gerry and her Grandaughter

Maggie Vivian Miller

Son-in-law Darryl and Gerry

in Paris

Darryl and Gerry
Butchart Gardens, Victoria, Canada

Gerry in New Orleans

Gerry in the 1960s:

Gerry in her beloved

Blue Ridge Mountains

In Memory of Vivian Geraldine Miller

Vivian Geraldine Miller

Beloved mother, sister, and grandmother, Gerry Miller died June 6, 2008. A veteran, an artist, and environmentalist, Gerry exhibited many years at the Savannah Art Association and wrote calligraphy for such groups as the Hibernian Society. She attended the Savannah College of Art and Design. She worked at Walden Books in Oglethorpe Mall for twenty years. She retired to the Rose of Sharon Apts.

As an environmentalist, she supported the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, and especially, Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway. She often published letters in the Savannah Morning News about ecology. Gerry loved art and visited the Louvre, the British Museum, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, and many art museums in the U.S. She also loved the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and visited many of his homes and buildings around the country.

She is survived by two sons, Dr. Jack Miller and Mr. John Miller, a son-in-law, Mr. Darryl Gossett, a grandaughter, Maggie Vivian Miller, a sister, Marilyn Johnson, and several close nieces. Gerry was also a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and had a wonderful affinity to Buddhism, one of her best friends being a Buddhist Monk.

In lieu of flowers, gifts should be made in her name to the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway at the link below:

Gerry's Favorite Links:

Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Greenpeace
Sierra Club
ENN

Email comments:
Gerrymil@yahoo.com