ASHTABULA — Yvonne Young Miller, age 85, of Columbus Ave., passed away on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, at the Hospice Unit of Ashtabula County Medical Center with her loving family by her side.
She was born Jan. 26, 1927, in Greenville, Pa., the daughter of Earle T. and Dorothy (Westover) Young and was an Ashtabula resident most of her life.
A 1944 graduate of Edgewood High School, she earned an Associate Degree from Wooster College. Her secretarial and administrative training led her to positions with Dr. A.A. Decato, the Village of North Kingsville as income tax clerk, Chevron with their offices along the Alaskan Pipeline, and Phoenix Combustion in Ashtabula. She also worked as a proofreader for several published books.
Yvonne was a voracious reader and avid volunteer. She served as treasurer for Habitat for Humanity, was on the founding board for the Wellness & Total Learning Center (WTLC) – an organization whose mission is to promote the holistic wellness of the mind, body and spirit of our community members as well as volunteerism for good causes, and was active with CONTACT, the Genealogy Society, the Scottish Society, the Garage Sale Bonanza, and the Civil Rights Movement. She also had a passion for the Ashram Prison Project and the elimination of the death penalty.
She had a deep interest in universal spirituality. A gifted singer, she loved to sing and often performed with her sisters as a quartet. She was most proud to have driven to Alaska before the ALCAN highway was paved and also had traveled to Europe and China.
Her survivors include three children, Eric Miller and Kerry (Randy) Hyppa, both of Arlington, Wash., and Valerie (Edwin) Miller-Brown of Penryn, Calif.; 10 grandchildren, Jason Peet, Gina Barnette, Shawn, Brett, Stephen and Errol Miller, Wendy, Aaron and Kathleen Troyer, and Amanda Andersen; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; three sisters, Mercedes Young of Johnson City, Tenn., Evangeline Glass of Camden, Maine, and Rosalind Woodburn of Ashtabula; several beloved nieces, nephews and cousins; and many dear friends, including Luanna Hale.
She was preceded in death by her former husband and father of her children, Paul M. Miller; her daughter, Robin Peet; her great-granddaughter, Alexandra; and her parents.
A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19th, at the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 4901 Main Ave., Ashtabula.
Contributions may be made to the Wellness & Total Learning Center, 715 W. 30th St., Ashtabula, Ohio 44004.
ZABACK-WILLIAMS-DUCRO FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE, 500 W. Prospect Road, Ashtabula, is in charge of arrangements. Obituary and condolences at www.ducro.com and starbeacon.com.
