Stockbridge — Dorothea A. Miller, 84, died November 9, 2014 at Berkshire Medical Center following a brief illness.
The 10th of 12 children of Norman Vincent and Mabel Sarah (Metzler) Oppermann, she was born in the Interlaken section of Stockbridge on February 15, 1930. She attended schools in Stockbridge and Pittsfield and was a 1948 graduate of Pittsfield High School.
Following graduation, Dorothea worked for General Electric in the payroll department before leaving to begin her family. After her mother-in-law’s retirement in 1966 she became Postmaster for the village of Glendale, a position she held until her retirement in 1992.
On August 6, 1949 she married John A. Miller of Glendale at the Interlaken Congregational Church. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this past August.
Dorothea found great pleasure in baking and cooking for family occasions, was equally well known for her needlework, especially her beautiful counted cross-stitching, and loved playing cards and Scrabble with family and friends. She expressed her love to her family through her cooking, baking, sewing, hugs and kisses.
Dorothea was a charter member of the Glendale Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary, the former Glendale Chapel Society, a member of Wisdom Chapter O.E.S., Ahlem Chapter of the Daughters of the Nile, a member of Stockbridge Grange #295, Berkshire South Pomona Grange #25, the Massachusetts State Grange and the National Grange. She was also an active member of the Ladies Service League at the First Congregational Church in Stockbridge, spending many years working in “Grandma’s Attic” for the Holly Fair.
Besides her husband John of Glendale, Dorothea is survived by her two children John A. Miller Jr. of Glendale and Lois A. Hall of Lee; four grandchildren Joshua David Hall of Pittsfield, Nathan S. Hall of Torrington, Conn., Allyson L. Hall of Lee, and Daniel A. Miller-Grossman of Leverett; three great-grandsons, Andrew, Conor and Jameson; a brother Parker G. Oppermann and his wife Anne of Lenox; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is predeceased by her brothers Irving A., Norman V. Jr., Edward W., Lester M., and Kenneth A. and sisters Virginia B. Hawkins, Naomi L. Huss, Savilla E., Lillian M. Besaw, and Charlotte J.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, November 14 at 11 a.m. at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, conducted by Rev. Belle Fox-Martin. Burial will follow at Stockbridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Donations in Dorothea’s memory may be made to the Stockbridge Grange #295 or the Shriners Children’s Hospital through FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances may be sent to her family through www.finnertyandstevens.com.
