Her “revels now are ended”  – William Shakespeare, The Tempest

Jean Margaret Miller, 83, daughter of the late Winchester florist Herbert William Miller and Edna Ruth Lamb of Elkton, VA., died on 29 October 2013 of complications from pneumonia.  She had long been a resident of Washington, D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighborhood before relocating last fall to Spring Arbor in Winchester, VA.

Jean’s “Valley” heritage is deeply rooted with the Hensleys and Lambs of Rockingham County and the Millers and Kellers of Shenandoah County.  Johann Georg Miller sailed to the New World and settled his family on farm land just north of Strasburg near Cedar Creek.  In 1764, he, along with his wife and two children, were spreading flax when they were attacked and murdered by marauding Indians.  Only two children, not in the fields, survived as did the family’s 1739 folio edition Bible brought over from Germany.  That Bible, which the Indians had tried unsuccessfully to ignite with hot coals and use to burn down the house, is on display at the Strasburg Museum.

Jean was a Winchester native and grew up on West Cork Street.  She graduated from John Handley High School, Stratford College in Danville, VA and American University in Washington, D.C., where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Art and pursued additional graduate courses.  In October 1952, she joined the staff at the Folger Shakespeare Library on Capitol Hill and eventually rose to the position of Art Reference Librarian.  At the Library she remained happily ensconced for nearly 50 years before retiring.  She conducted research, assisted readers from around the world and contributed to many exhibits and scholarly publications.  One of her final projects culminated in 1997 with publication of  “The Housewife’s Rich Cabinet: Remedies, Recipes & Helpful Hints” culled from 16^th , 17^th and 18^th century manuscripts.  The volume included an introduction from popular columnist Heloise, who was also present for the exhibit opening.

Though never married and never learned to drive, Jean cultivated a wide circle of friends.  A sketch artist, oil painter and sculptor, she reveled in the diversity of cosmopolitan living and in traveling to Europe and Russia.  Serious about ballet from an early age, Jean performed in Winchester’s Apple Blossom pageants and became a student dance director while at Stratford College.  She later joined a Bavarian folk dance troupe, Schuhplattler und Gebirgstrachten Verein Washingtonia, which often appeared during Oktoberfest celebrations around the District, on the Washington Mall and at the White House in the early 1960’s.

Jean became a Quaker, and she was a member of the Dupont Circle Village organization.

A brother, William H Miller, Jr., preceded her in death.   “Aunt Deedie” leaves behind a nephew, William H Miller III, of Winchester, and three nieces:  Ann Miller Graves of Great Falls, VA, Mary M Tobelmann of Wytheville, VA, and Elizabeth Romanus of Montpelier, VA.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff of Spring Arbor and to the supportive caregivers at Blue Ridge Hospice.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 West Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22602.