NAOMI JOAN MILLER

February 22, 1927 – February 15, 2025

After a long and active life, Naomi Miller passed away one week short of her 98th birthday on February 15, 2025.  She is survived by her 6 children (Verle, Heather, Barbara, Joy, Murray, and Ruth), 12 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.  Her husband, Peter Miller, passed away in 2009.

She was born Naomi Allsebrook, daughter of Alan and Lucy Allsebrook.  She grew up on the shores of Kootenay Lake near Kaslo, BC.  Living out of town in Shutty Bench and doing some of her high school studies by correspondence, she developed independence and strength.  She studied nursing at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC.  She worked in tuberculosis care in Vancouver before marrying Peter Miller and starting her family.

Naomi and Peter lived in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario while Peter was an engineer.  They returned to BC where Peter earned his teaching degree, and he spent the rest of his career as a high school teacher in British Columbia.  They lived in Salmo, Riondel, and Terrace before moving to Golden where they spent the last 15 years before Peter’s retirement.  After retirement they became long-term residents of Wasa where Naomi was a valued member of the community.  When the drive into Cranbrook for shopping and appointments became difficult, she moved into town.  Her last home in Cranbrook was in the Kootenay Street Village Retirement Community in Cranbrook.  In January 2025 she needed long term care and was moved to Crest View Care Village in Creston, BC, and she passed away here.

Naomi was a Kootenay Historian.  Active as a storyteller in costume at Fort Steele, she researched the history and authored the book, ‘Fort Steele: Gold Rush to Boom Town’ and she co-edited the book, ‘The Forgotten Side of the Border’ with Wayne Norton.  She was active with the BC Historical Federation as Vice-President, President, and Editor of the ‘British Columbia Historical News’.  She wrote articles for the BC History of Nursing Newsletter, and was the author of ‘History Bytes’ for the Tri-Village Buzz.

Naomi was active in the Girl Guides for much of her life.  She was a Guide as a girl, and became a leader, then a trainer, and in her retirement she was active with the Trefoil Guild.

Naomi received many awards during her lifetime.  She was awarded Honorary Lifetime memberships by Girl Guides of Canada, the BC Historical Federation, BC History of Nursing Society, and the Friends of Fort Steele Society.  Some of her other awards included the BC Heritage Award, an Award of Merit from the BC Museums Association for her and Peter’s role in developing the Golden Museum, and a UBC Nursing Award of Distinction.  She was recognized as an East Kootenay Volunteer of the Year for her service and commitment to the community.

Naomi loved the outdoors, continuing to cycle and swim and cross-country ski into her 90s.  She made many friends along the way, and will be missed by the community.

For more information about Naomi’s history view the article, ‘History’s Historian: The Story of Naomi Miller’ by Nowell Berg : https://www.e-know.ca/regions/east-kootenay/historys-historian-story-naomi-miller/

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