Margaret Miller

06/11/1922 – 01/02/2013
Margaret Haggard Miller, age 90, passed away on January 2, 2013 surrounded by her large and loving family. She was born June 11, 1922 in Saginaw, Michigan to Norma Swift and William Wade Haggard.
The Haggard family moved from Michigan to Joliet, Illinois then to Bellingham, Washington, when her father became the President of Western Washington State College (WWU) in 1939. Margaret arrived in Bellingham in time for her senior year of high school, graduating from Bellingham High in 1940, where she developed life-long friendships. She began college at Western and graduated from Washington State College (WSU), where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, receiving her degree in Science. She was also a member of the National Science Honor Society, Beta Kappa Chi. Margaret then enlisted in the Army which provided an opportunity to pursue an additional degree in Physical Therapy. She moved to the Bay area where she worked for the Cabot Kaiser Foundation, then to Seattle to work for the Seattle Fracture and Orthopedic Clinic. Two years later, Margaret returned to Bellingham and was the second Registered Physical Therapist to locate here and worked at Shuksan Convalescent Center for over twenty five years.
On December 26, 1949, Margaret married her high school sweetheart, Robert G. “Bob” Miller. They just celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary! Throughout her life, Margaret was engaged in Bellingham community activities, serving as a Member of the Board of Trustees for St. Luke’s Hospital and was a founding member of the St. Luke’s Foundation. She held a variety of board positions, including President of PEO Chapter F, AAUW, and in 1977, was the first woman chosen to chair the Citizen Advisory Committee for the successful Bellingham School Levy Campaign. Throughout her life Margaret and Bob have been advocates for education and active supporters of WWU. She held memberships in the Bellingham Golf & Country Club, Bellingham Yacht Club, Washington Athletic Club and the Monday Club. She was a seventy three year member of St. James Presbyterian Church.
Margaret is survived by her loving husband Bob, son Gragg Miller (Betty) of Bellingham, daughter Norma Miller (Erik Christianson) of Seattle and Mary McCluskey (Ken) of Indianola, WA; six grandchildren Stephanie Leyson (Shelby), Stacey Turrell (Josh), Erin Harrison (Rich), Molly McCluskey, Per Miller and Hannah McCluskey; and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Joan King (Harold) of Seattle, sisters-in-law Marijune Haggard and Karleen Miller and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Wade S. Haggard.
In their retirement, Bob and Margaret travelled extensively. Margaret led a full life and will be missed by her close circle of friends and family. Donations in her memory are suggested to the Mt. Baker Kidney Center, Western Washington University Foundation and St James Presbyterian Church. The Family would like to thank all the caregivers involved with Margaret, especially those at the Mt. Baker Kidney Center and Whatcom Hospice House. A Memorial Service will be held at St. James Presbyterian Church, 910 14th St. in Bellingham at 2 PM on Monday, January 7th. A reception will follow at the church.