Rose Law Miller

Miller—Rose Law Miller, 100, on June 7, 2021, peacefully, at Kendal at Hanover, a Quaker retirement community in Hanover, N.H. Rose was born on September 8, 1920, to John Granville Law and Myrtle Rose in Pullman, Wash. She attended Beloit College in Beloit, Wis. Rose spent more than 40 years living in the Wayne, Pa. area, where she and Harry Miller married in 1941 and raised their family.

Rose was raised in the Methodist faith, and came to Quakerism by convincement in 1960. She was a longtime dedicated member of Radnor Meeting in Villanova, Pa. Rose grew deeply into her Quaker faith during her time at Radnor Meeting. Her many involvements with progressive political causes are a testimony to her deep Quaker values, love of justice, commitment to the integrity of women, and care for the community. She picketed the White House against the Vietnam War, helped establish a women’s halfway house in the Philadelphia area, and fought for women’s reproductive rights and for American Indian causes.

The decision to move to Kendal at Hanover was necessitated by Harry’s need for long-term care. The move presented challenges as well as opportunities. Rose’s feelings of loss about leaving Radnor Meeting gave way to her innate joy in life and love of people. She allowed the Spirit to open her to that of God in this new spiritual context, in the people, in the interactions, and in Hanover (N.H.) Meeting’s journey.

This turned out to be an immensely rich time of growing into her new faith community and in turn, being deeply treasured by these new f/Friends. Rose became a loyal attender at Hanover Meeting, participating fully in worship, monthly meeting for worship for business, planning for renovations of the meetinghouse, and other activities. Rose found herself being loved and at the same time loving her new spiritual home. This phase of her life stretched into decades.

Rose was a living testimony of the power of love to be equally present in agreement as well as in disagreement. Her honesty and tendency to be outspoken empowered her willingness to address controversy. She listened deeply, and understood when it was best to yield to the larger sense of truth held by those present. She was influential to many in her warm, welcoming greeting and outreach to those of all ages.

As Rose settled into the community at Kendal, she became increasingly involved in various projects and activities. She was active in American Friends Service Committee’s New Hampshire Office, the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood, and other causes. Her creativity was appreciated as she chose artwork to decorate the many hallways. In her later years, she became a faithful attender of the Quaker Worship Group at Kendal. She served as clerk of the worship group, initiated having meetings for business, and always warmly reached out to encourage and welcome new attenders. She brought this spirit of friendship everywhere she went.

Rose was predeceased by her husband, Harry Miller. She is survived by three children, Todd Miller (Suzanne Gordon), Sarah Morenon (Pierre), and Bruce Miller (Loraine Michaelson); five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.