print this page

Mary Pauline (Bonner) Miller

Mary Pauline Bonner Miller died at the age of 97 on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, at Concordia of Cabot, PA.

She was born on April 23, 1923, in Kittanning, PA, the first child and only daughter of Charles A. "Alex" Bonner, Sr., and Margaret I. (George) Bonner.

Mary was the youngest member of the Kittanning High School Class of 1940. She attended the junior college program of Packer Collegiate Institute in New York City and then entered Cornell University's nursing program with New York Hospital, training at the Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic. She served her country during World War II as a member of the Cadet Nurse Corps. She graduated with a BSN in 1945. She later worked at Western Psychiatric Hospital in Pittsburgh.

She married her high school sweetheart, Calvin E. Miller, Jr., M.D. on May 31, 1947. They returned to Kittanning, where he established a medical practice, and they raised their family there.

Mary was a life-long member of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Kittanning. She was active in the Kittanning Garden Club, serving a term as its president, and in the Armstrong County Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary. She and her husband greatly enjoyed performances by the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Civic Light Opera. She loved to play cards and was a member of a number of card clubs. An avid reader, she enjoyed and supported the Kittanning Library.

She is survived by her children: David E. Miller of Arlington, VA; Calvin J. Miller, M.D. (Nancy) of Sarver, PA; Molly E. Downs (John R. "Rick" Downs, M.D.) of Castroville, TX. Mary is also survived by her grandchildren - Carrie Perman (Ed); Jennifer Risch (Gary); Callie Downs, Pharm.D. (Justin Rightmer, J.D.); and Richard E. "Ricky" Downs; and her great-grandchildren, Jessica Perman, Madison Bradfield, Paul Perman, Will Bradfield, Garrett Risch, Max Blattenberger, Callie Joe Bradfield, Lainie Mae Blattenberger, and Ella Risch; and by a number of nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Calvin E. Miller, M.D.; and by her three brothers, Charles A. Bonner, Jr. (Esther) of Carlisle, PA; Joseph A. Bonner (Shirley) of Pittsburgh, PA; and Lt. Col. Harry E. Bonner, USA (ret.) of Oakmont, PA.

At the family's request, a funeral service will be privately held.

Interment will be in the Kittanning Cemetery, Kittanning, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Kittanning Public Library, 280 N. Jefferson St., Kittanning, PA, 16201, or to St. John's Lutheran Church, 218 N. Jefferson St., Kittanning, PA, 16201.

print this page