Jane Croft Miller

Our beloved Jane Croft Miller, 87, passed away on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, in the aftermath of a stroke she had recently suffered.

Jane was born in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, one of six children born to Michael and Mary Croft. One of the fondest memories of her childhood was freely roaming the wooded hills surrounding her town.  She treasured the peaceful beauty of the countryside in nearby Big Valley where her family sometimes bought fresh produce from the Amish. 

In 1953, she married William (Bill) Miller. Together, they raised their three children in Indiana, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was in her glory during these formative years of her children's lives - her lifelong roles that gave her the greatest fulfillment: mother, grandmother and great grandmother. 

In the 1980's, Bill and Jane built a home on beautiful Sanibel Island, Florida, where they enjoyed their early retirement years. In 1990, they made the permanent move to Bainbridge Island to be an active part of their grandchildren's lives. She reveled in the activities and accomplishments of her family, always cheerfully supporting their efforts. Attending sporting events was a big favorite of hers.

She had a song in her heart for those closest to her, often making up songs to suit the person or occasion. This led her to be nicknamed "Lala" by her first-born grandchild. This name stuck and become her family moniker. 

Her devotion to loved ones was never more evident than her role as the primary caregiver to her husband Bill during his 4 year battle with ALS. 

Our cherished memories of Jane include: Christmas Eve gatherings with the entire clan at her house; the many birthday parties she threw for each grandchild; birthday cards personalized with photos she had collected over the years; weenie roasts and s'mores; her love of 70's music, especially Eagles, Bee Gees, and Carly Simon; the best homemade applesauce and bread pudding, the nicknames she gave each grandchild, and so many more. 

Although she enjoyed her own company, she had an infectious social joy that was felt by everyone she met, whether a close acquaintance, people she encountered along Winslow Way, or a stranger on a bus. She genuinely enjoyed listening to people's stories and possessed the rare gift of making everyone she met feel special. 

"Nature is part of us just as we are part of it. We can recognize ourselves in the description we give to it." - a quote she kept and embraced. Much like the explorations of the forests of her youth, walking in the Grand Forest on Bainbridge in her later years brought out her childish wonder. 

Her influence on all of us is undeniable. It is embedded in all her grandchildren and will live on for generations. We are all so grateful that she was ours and we were hers.

Jane is pre-deceased by her husband William Miller and brother Michael Croft. 

Jane is survived by her son Stephan (Kim) Miller, son Bill Miller and daughter Leslie (Brian) Rice; grandchildren Kate (Alex) March; Ben, Jackson, Michelle and Theo Miller; Annique and Sam Rice; great grandchildren Tori and Nora March; her brothers David (Gay) Croft and Richard (Greta) Croft; her sisters Barbara Zauzig and Mary Joan (Dick) Port; and many nephews and nieces.

The family will host a casual open house on Sun, December 16 from 2:00-4:00 at Jane's home. Please contact Leslie at (206) 714-5060 if further info is needed. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Bainbridge Island Land Trust or ALS research at (888) 949-2577 or www.alsa.org

Please sign the Cook Family Funeral Home online guestbook at: www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com