Zona Miller of Waterford, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, November 8, 2019 with her daughters by her side. Zona was an avid reader with a thirst for knowledge. She championed education of the youth through teaching at Fort LeBoeuf High School, Union City High School, and 34 years at Cambridge High School.
Zona was a proud and active member of the Waterford community. She celebrated Waterford through many social clubs and enjoyed luncheons with her fellow retired teachers. A symbolism of her influence on the community was co-founding Heritage Days to celebrate Waterford’s traditions and history in 1974. Furthermore, Zona was a member of the Waterford Methodist Church, the church choir, the friends of the library, the Lioness Club, the book club, the garden club, and the historical society. Zona also educated the public by providing tours of the Eagle Hotel and The Judson House.
Zona valued charity and epitomized helping others in time of need by preparing food, providing transportation, and advising friends. She lived her life to the fullest and appreciated life’s small joys such as bird watching. She inspired her family and friends to be the best they could be and encouraged others to strive for excellence. Zona loved life, her community, her garden, her home, and her greatest love of all was her family.
Left to honor Zona and remember her love are her two daughters, Eugenie (Tom) Wolf of Union City, and Heidi (Steve) Yovich of Mill Village; six grandchildren, Josh (Erin) Wolf of Portland, ME, Carleen (Brad) Orlando of Erie, Kiel (Yasameen) Wolf of New Albany, IN, Molly (Ryan) Reed of Dearing, GA, Annie Yovich of Mill Village, and Carly Yovich of Mill Village; and eight great grandchildren.
Per Zona’s wishes, family and friends are invited to Asbury United Methodist Church in Waterford for a celebration of life on Saturday, November 30th at 5:00 PM. The family will have a time for fellowship and reminiscence starting at 3:00 prior to the memorial service and a dinner following.
With passion and a raised brow Zona taught us hormonal Cambridge teens how to diagram a sentence, to fall in love with American Literature through Great Expectations, The Red Pony, and especially, Where the Red Fern Grows. I will always remember the way she taught—so expressive, so unpredictable— that you never wanted to be caught daydreaming, and you were always interested to see what she might do or say next. She is a legend at CSHS. She will be missed, but her teaching live on as we pass down the instruction and Zany ways she encouraged us to embrace. With her hand on her hip and a pointer in hand she showed us the way. We lost a great teacher. Thank you, Zona Miller!
Mrs. Miller was my favorite teacher. I remember her notes of encouragement she would leave on our writing assignments; she was genuine and I loved her for it. My condolences to her family and friends, she was a great lady!
Zona was a great colleague and we shared a classroom wall. How she loved her family first, then God, and then her students. A voice of reason and funny as all get out…she will be missed and never duplicated. RIP, Ms .Zona. Deepest sympathy to her family. May your memories heal your hurting hearts.
My sympathies. I found her to be a great teacher and a caring person. I have thought of her often since her retirement. She will be missed by many.
So sorry to hear this! She was a great teacher! I always loved going to her class. As a student you knew she cared and always worked to motivate you. We need more teachers like her!
Sorry for your loss. May she Rest In Peace.
My husband and I were just talking about the wonderful teachers we had at CSHS, and we both agreed that Mrs. Miller was an awesome educator! She loved teaching, and it was obvious every time you entered her classroom. Her wit and spit fire attitude seemed to motivate us to learn, and of course we admired her outward love for her students! Rest easy Mrs. Miller.
Our deepest sympathy. A wonderful person , a tremendous educator, a fantastic colleague.
She will be missed.
Jim Dailey
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