Barbara G. (Ernst) Miller, 91, died peacefully Thursday, December 6th at St. Mary’s Healthcare Center, Worcester, after a short illness.
Barbara’s husband, John V. Miller, the Love of her Life, died on May 4th of this year. They are once again united, standing beside each other as they did throughout their 69 years of marriage. She is survived by four nieces, Mary Caramiello and her husband, Joseph of Auburn, Diane Clark and her husband, Paul of Ft. Myers, FL, Nancy Tivnan and her husband, Kevin of Princeton, and Bonnie Sullivan and her husband, Edward of Worcester; three nephews; Daniel, and his wife, Linda of Standish, ME, Leo Miller, Jr. and his wife, Mary of Paxton and Brian Miller and his wife, Maureen of Auburn; three nieces-in-law, Nancy Karbowski of North Brookfield, Linda Josti of Shrewsbury, and Jean Josti of Spencer. Barbara also leaves two great nieces, Bonni Holmes of North Brookfield and Heather Harris of Chula Vista, CA; eight great nephews, Christopher Karbowski of Brookfield, Michael Josti of Norwell, Timothy Josti, Jr. of East Brookfield, Robert Josti of Rutland, Brandon Caramiello of Haverhill, and Justin Caramiello of Auburn. She enjoyed watching them grow and attending their many celebrations. She also leaves several great-great nieces and nephews who brought many smiles to her through visits and stories about them.
Barbara, the youngest child in her family, was predeceased by her five siblings: Dorothy (Ernst) Karbowski, Gertrude Ernst, Kenneth Ernst, Raymond Ernst, and Stanley Ernst, and also by her three nephews: Ronald Karbowski, Walter Josti and Timothy Josti Sr.
She was born in Worcester, the daughter of Bernard C. Ernst and Florence A. (Miller) Hart and attended Worcester Public Schools, graduating from Commerce High School. She continued her studies and graduated from Salter Secretarial School. Barbara retired from Norton Company in March 1989 after working as an administrative assistant for more than thirty years. Barbara enjoyed doing a variety of things. She loved listening to John as he played the organ and accordion, sometimes singing along with the music. Another favorite activity was the many hours spent dancing with her love, “Buddy”, whether it was on the dance floor of a club or a cruise ship. Barbara and John often traveled near and far from home, and she would frequently share the pictures and stories of their trips. The closest thing to her heart was time spent sitting around a table with family and friends, whether it was at the lake house, a restaurant, or the many special family events and holidays.
The family is grateful for the care given to Barbara by the doctors and nurses of St. Mary’s and Beacon Hospice.
Barbara’s funeral will be held Monday, December 10th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue with her funeral Mass at 10:30 AM in Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main Street. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. A visitation will be held from 9:00 until 10:00 AM the day of the funeral in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Angels Building Fund, 1222 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01603.