Jane B. Miley, 82, of Lancaster, went Home to be with God, as well as family members she missed, on Tuesday, October 6. She bravely and graciously fought cancer for over 20 months and passed from this world peacefully at the Hospice and Community Care inpatient center in Mt. Joy. Jane was a woman of beauty, faith, intelligence, loyalty, humor and determination, and she is already greatly missed by her family.
Jane was the loving wife of Robert N. Miley, and this December 1 st they would have celebrated their 64 th wedding anniversary. She was born in Conestoga, PA on June 8, 1933 to the late Milton H. Bowers and Myrtle M. (Barr) Bowers, the third of four children.
Jane graduated from J.P. McCaskey High School in 1951 and was married in December of that same year. She worked as a secretary at Armstrong, administrative assistant at Kelly Advertising, bookkeeper for her husband’s business, and customer service representative at Burle Industries. Her most cherished roles in life, however, were that of wife, mother, grandmother and sister, and she gave of herself in those roles tirelessly as advocate, teacher and friend.
She served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, participated in outreach programs and cared for many children at St. Peter’s UCC in Lancaster, and in recent years prolifically knitted prayer shawls, afghans, baby blankets and hats with the Stellar Stitchers of Grandview United Methodist Church in Lancaster where she was a member.
Jane was an incredibly gifted seamstress who made both clothes and window treatments. At one time she had a business making window treatments, and she also did many alterations for family and friends. No matter how complex the project, those who knew her knew that if anyone could do what they needed, she could. She was a fabulous cook and entertainer, decorator, and cross stitcher. She also loved American history, playing cards, trips to casinos with her husband and family, and enjoyed using her skills in English grammar to proofread the projects of family and friends. Jane loved the adventure and learning of travel. She planned many, many family vacations and she and her husband, Bob, traveled often by motorcycle as well. Among their motorcycle trips was a a five week cross country trek. With various family members she traveled to almost every US state, Canada, Europe, the British Isles, and China.
In addition to her husband, Robert, Jane is survived by her daughter Rev. Deborah Miley, Lititz; her son, Michael Miley and his wife, Debra, Columbia; her daughter, Donna Miley Fulmer and her husband, Doug, Lancaster; her grandchildren Hailee and Jared Danielsen, Zoli Angelillo and Emma Miley; her brother, Robert Bowers and his wife, Jane, of Soudersburg; and her brother-in-law Paul Buhay. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as devoted friends. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Doris and Janet (wife of Paul Buhay); a nephew, Stephen Buhay; and a grand-nephew, Wade Patton.
Jane’s family would like to thank all who supported her during her illness whether family, friend or neighbor. The family is also very grateful for the support of her church, Grandview United Methodist, and for the support of Hospice and Community Care who cared for her briefly at home and whose staff at the inpatient center treated her with love and respect each day for over a month.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Service at Grandview United Methodist Church, 888 Pleasure Rd., Lancaster, PA 17601 on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Andrea Brown officiating, followed by a time of refreshments and fellowship in the church’s Gathering Space.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jane’s memory may be made to Grandview United Methodist Church, 888 Pleasure Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601 or Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. To leave an online obituary please visit: www.LancasterCremations.com