Marilyn Kay Corneil Miller

Marilyn Kay Corneil Miller

Kay Corneil was born November 18, 1939, to Marguerite Ortloff Corneil and Ward Corneil in Blackwell, OK. Following a lengthy battle with dementia she passed away May 31, 2022, in Albuquerque, NM due to complications from dementia at the age of 82. Kay graduated from Blackwell High School in 1957 and directly attended Cottey College in Nevada, MO for two years. She then transferred to OSU where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and received her BS in Education in 1961. She promptly moved to Wichita, KS for her first teaching job where she met and married Jerry A Miller in 1963. Kay and Jerry moved many times, wherever Jerry’s career took them. New Mexico, Idaho, Utah, South Carolina and finally retirement in Taos, NM. Kay’s first love was teaching music, but she would happily take a classroom if that were all that was available. Her love of learning reached hundreds of students and her kind heart and soft-spoken voice often made her a favorite teacher. Kay participated in social, civic, and spiritual groups her entire life. She sang in the church choir of any church she attended. She was a member of the Santa Fe Community Chorus and later the Taos Community Chorus. Later in life, Kay started knitting. She lovingly knit hundreds of baby beanies for all the newborn babies at Holy Cross Hospital in Taos. Kay’s garden wherever she lived was a work of art. She fulfilled all the requirements of becoming a Master Gardener while living in Taos. Kay loved a good glass of wine and a fun time surrounded by family and friends.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband Jerry in 2009.

She is survived by her two sons, Wade Miller, and his wife Kristin (Johnson) of Menomonee Falls, WI. Mark Miller, and his wife Sheri (Mastin) of Albuquerque. Two grandsons, Nolan and Mason Miller. Two younger brothers, Wendell Corneil and wife Veda of Augusta, KS and Neil Corneil and wife Jean of Oklahoma City, OK. Her uncle Gerald Ortloff and wife Evey of Aurora, CO., and numerous nieces and nephews.

Kay absolutely loved the role of Grandma and took it very seriously. She even became “Grandma Kay” to other children in her life. She will be missed, and we were so lucky to have had Kay in our lives.

While we rejoice that Kay has entered the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.

A funeral service to celebrate Kay’s life will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 11:00am at Hope In The Desert Episcopal Church. 8700 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122