Ruth I. Miller

Ruth Isabelle Robbins Miller, 87, of Watertown, NY died Monday, June 22, 2009. She had resided for the past year at Legacy Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in West Jordan, UT. She was born in Erie County, PA on September 10, 1921, the daughter of the late Marjorie Salina and Grover Cleveland Jones. After graduating from Edinboro High School in Edinboro, PA, she worked as a life guard to help put herself through college. She graduated with a BA in Art Education from Edinboro State Teachers College. She later attended Syracuse University receiving certification as a Physical Education teacher. She moved to Watertown in 1948.

She was the swimming instructor at the YWCA in Watertown through the 1950's. She worked with Ben Becker of Oswego State College to help develop synchronized swimming for the US Olympics Committee. Her career in education included positions as an English teacher at Fort Drum, an art teacher at Indian River Central School and a Physical Education teacher in Central Square, NY, Fulton, NY and General Brown High Schools. She was the girls' basketball, field hockey and bowling coach and cheerleading advisor. She retired in 1979.

She is survived by her sister Geneva Bleakley, 89, of Edinboro, Pa, her daughter, Marjorie and son-in-law James Natali of Suwanee, GA, 4 grandchildren: James, Christina and Mark Natali and Melissa Rehus, and 5 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband Frank "Ted" Miller in 2000.

There will be no calling hours and interment will be in Lowville Cemetery in Watsburg, PA at a later date. Her body was donated to the Body Dono Program of the University of Utah Neurobiology and Anatomy Department. Condolences may be made at marjorienatali@yahoo.com.