Noreta Mae Miller

Noreta Mae Miller, born July 9th, 1930, passed away after a short illness on March 1st, 2022.

Lovingly referred to as “Rita”, or even more often, “Gram”, she was born in Gardiner, Maine. One of four children, Rita went on to have 5 children of her own and 10 stepchildren!  

Gram loved her Bahama Mama’s and orange soda. Lilacs were her favorite flower. Deer was her favorite animal. Cookies and milk were dessert each night. Family photos covered every square inch of walls and bookshelves in her apartment. Playing cards was a favorite pastime (just don't bet more than a dime or you would get that look) and for years when her eyes were still young, crossword puzzles occupied her time. She was an amazing cross stitcher, showcasing at the Deerfield fair and coming in 1st runner up (she should have won that year).  Most recently she has been knitting up a storm and scarfs were her specialty.  She always showed off her glittery, colorful nails and typically matched her button downs to her slacks with a broach for good measure. You could catch Gram screaming at the television during a Patriots, Bruins or Red Sox game. A master mashed potato maker, Rita spent a lot of time in the kitchen up until the past 10 years or so. Once she moved into the Meetinghouse at River Front, she joined their “food board” to speak her mind about how everything was coming out of that kitchen. She checked off her #1 bucket list item in 2019 with a trip to Nashville, Tennessee. She was a lifelong lover of classic country music. She saw shows at the Ryman Auditorium & the Grand Ole Opry. Before the show at the Opry, she was given a private tour backstage. Sitting in Minnie Pearls dressing room backstage was one of the many highlights. She had gorgeous cursive handwriting and wore a light up Timex watch that we replaced just about every Christmas. She was the best combination of stubborn, sassy, sparkly and sweet.

Predeceased by her husband William Miller, daughter Elaine Caswell and siblings Kay & her husband Eddie Oakes and Malcom Rich. Survived by so many people who love her; her loving sister Maxine Rich, her son Leon & his wife Grace Green, her daughter Darlene Brooks, her son Neal and his wife Renee Miller and her son Earl and his wife Dawn Miller. Her grandchildren Sean Caswell, Jeanette and her husband Glen Boisvert, Rebecca and her husband Craig Carrier, Alysia MacDougall and her fiancé Stephan Hare, Thomas and his wife Claudia Brooks, Katrina Brooks, Emily, Deanna & Matthew Miller and Amelia Miller. Her great grandchildren; Courtney, Madison & Cameron Carrier, Autumn & Leah Boisvert, Tyler, Griffin & Evan Caswell, Leanna Hare, Clara MacDougall and Autumn Brooks. Her best friend and stepdaughter of over 60 years, Marion Handschumaker and her best friend at Meeting House, Lorraine Lagasse.

The Meetinghouse at Riverfront took such great care of her over the past decade. Her family appreciates you all so much.

In lieu of flowers, please post your favorite memories and photos of Gram, as this page will be memorialized.

A gathering will be held Saturday, March 5th from 2-3:30PM with a memorial service at 3:30PM at the Cremation Society of New Hampshire, 243 Hanover Street in Manchester, NH. Wear your brightest colors for this celebration of a life well lived.