Margaret Elizabeth Miller

Margaret Elizabeth Miller (née Stout), 93, passed away quietly and peacefully at Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces on September 5, 2024, following a brief illness. She and beloved husband Paul had just celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary.

Margaret (better known as Peg, Mom, Grandma Peggy and GGMama) was born on July 21, 1931, in Trenton, New Jersey, the eldest daughter of Rynear and Carolyn Stout. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, known for her pragmatism, thoughtfulness, and steadfast love of family. She also held a special place in her heart for the P.E.O. Sisterhood, an international philanthropic organization whose mission is to help women around the world advance through education.

Peg met future husband Paul at Wooster College in Ohio, when they shared a car ride home to Trenton for Thanksgiving her freshman year. The story goes that Paul fell asleep on Peg’s shoulder, or was it the other way around? Whatever the case, that “nap” led to their first date nearly 75 years ago — on Dec. 3, 1949 — when Paul asked Peg to Wooster’s winter dance. Soon after Paul gave Peg his fraternity pin, and the two were wed at Prospect Street Presbyterian Church in Trenton on Aug. 22, 1953.

Upon graduating from Wooster with a degree in biology, Peg pursued a full-time career in raising and caring for her growing family: first David (1955), then Anne (1958) and Susan (1963). She worked for Dr. Marc Smith, a dentist in Bloomington, Indiana, and for Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, where she did research related to newborn diseases — and though she enjoyed her work, her primary motivation was helping to put her children through college. She “retired” as soon as she succeeded in this mission.

As the wife of a Presbyterian minister, Peg was also a devoted and active member in several churches throughout her life: Prospect Street Presbyterian Church in Trenton, N.J.; Hanover Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware; First Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, Ind.; Wyoming Presbyterian Church in suburban Cincinnati; 2nd Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Kentucky; and for the last 25 years, Peace Lutheran Church in Las Cruces. One of many highlights for Paul and Peg was the chance to travel extensively throughout Egypt, Israel, Greece, and Italy as part of a five-week study leave given by the Wyoming Presbyterian Church in 1987. 

Peg had many hobbies, some lasting for a season while others transcended seasons. A talented seamstress, she taught her daughters and at least a few of her granddaughters to sew. After a family sabbatical at Ghost Ranch in 1975, she became enthralled with weaving and for many years diligently pursued her craft on a large floor loom. She loved the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden and was a volunteer for many years. She also enjoyed gardening at home, whether it was tending to her rose bushes in Bloomington or nurturing native plants — especially her prized Mexican Bird of Paradise — in Las Cruces. 

In later years, she loved quilting and stitching -- and many family members treasure handiwork that she gave them to mark life’s special occasions. She was always up for a puzzle or board game -- and will forever remain the family’s reigning Sequence champion. A strong believer in education as a game-changer, she delighted in reading to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. All generations of the family have come to know and to love “Highlights” thanks to GGMama. 

Peg is survived by husband Paul; children David Miller and Susan Miller Wiltz; grandchildren Carolina Lopez (Manny), Caleb MillerMiro (Chelsea), Lindy McLain (Nick), Elle Tinnirella (Mike), Geneva Alok (Apurva), Isabela Hernandez, Lori Hernandez, Georgia Miller Wiltz, and Rynear Miller Wiltz; great-grandchildren Jude and Luna Lopez, Benjamin McLain, Soren and Zadie MillerMiro, Gemma, Pascale, and Juno Tinnirella, Miles and Louise Alok; son-in-law Armando Hernandez; former daughter-in-law Donna Bradford; nieces Kathy Williams (Tommie), Carolyn Musholt (Alan); Sheila Miller Lenz (Richard), Deborah Miller Walsh (Michael), Pam Miller-Genovay (Lenny), Colleen Miller-Servis (David), Nancy Miller, Cathy Miller; nephew Jeff Miller, as well as several great nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, Peg is preceded in death by beloved daughter Anne Hernandez; son-in-law Paul Wiltz; sister Virginia Knoblauch; brothers-in-law Richard Knoblauch, Richard Miller, Gerald Miller, Gene Miller, and Bruce Miller (Paul’s twin); niece Kris Knoblauch; and nephew Jim Miller.

She also treasured dear friends Mary Leigh Bacon, Joanna Binkley, Marilyn Thomas, Barbara Burkhead, and Maxine Lampert, the latter she had known since childhood, as well as all her P.E.O. sisters. 

Peg will be remembered as a pillar of strength for her family, someone who was always checking in to see how you were doing, and worrying on your behalf if things weren’t going well. She loved nothing better than receiving pictures, videos, and other updates so she could stay abreast of her ever-expanding family. She lived the last years of her life quietly yet fully present in the lives of dear ones, and always on her own terms. She is etched on all of our hearts and will be deeply, deeply loved, forever. 

A Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 14, at Peace Lutheran Church, with lunch to follow. (The service will be live streamed and recorded, instructions at https://peacelutheranlc.com/.) 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Peg’s name to Mesilla Valley Hospice or P.E.O. Chapter BV with notation line: P.E.O. NM State Scholarship. P.E.O. check donations should be given directly to a family member.