Carmen Gloria Miller

December 17, 1921 - September 25, 2019

Carmen Gloria (Sundwick) Miller, 97, of Traverse City passed away peacefully on September 25, 2019, at Traverse Manor. Carmen was born on December 17, 1921, in Hancock, Michigan to the late Anders Wilhelm and Klara Wilhelmina (Kjellgren) Sundwick. She was also preceded in death by her seven brothers and sisters. On July 23, 1949, she married Robert M. Miller in Detroit and they had three children. Together they shared 63 years of marriage before his death in 2012. Carmen was a 1939 graduate of Escanaba High School and 1943 graduate of Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University). During World War II she worked at the Willow Run (Ypsilanti) Bomber Plant in the summers between college years. Growing up in a musical family, Carmen learned to play the violin, initially taught by her father on an instrument that he made for her. Throughout her youth and beyond, she regularly performed in churches, music clubs and for social events. She pursued her teaching degree in music and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. Carmen was a string, woodwind and orchestral music educator for the Dearborn School District from 1943 to 1950. Carmen also regularly played violin in community orchestras throughout her life, including the Detroit Women’s Symphony, Oak Park Symphony and Southfield Symphony. She also taught violin students privately. Late in life, even at age 96, Carmen would get out her violin to play, often motivated by her grandchildren, both violinists, who loved performing for her. Carmen was inspired by beauty throughout her life. Her love of wildflowers and nature, gardens, sewing, cooking and entertaining, travel and especially her deep love of music were a constant source of inspiration for her. Carmen was deeply committed to her family and loved being a homemaker. Carmen always looked for ways to ease the burden of others. She especially volunteered for organizations that advocated for those with special needs: Children’s Orthogenic School (Detroit), MAEDC (Detroit), New Horizons Rehabilitation Services (Madison Heights). In Traverse City she donated her time to the Food Pantry and Community Lunch programs of Grace Episcopal Church, Brickways (formerly Grand Traverse Area Community Living Center for disabled persons) and the Episcopalian Peace Fellowship. In her final years in assisted living, Carmen found much joy in the woodsy view outside her window, often poetically describing the simple beauties of nature that inspired her. Her faith was also sustained by visits from Grace Episcopal Church, her daily readings and attendance at Sunday services at Traverse Manor with her son. As in her entire life, she faced difficulties with grace, courage and resilience. By her example, she taught well the lesson to face each day and “keep going.” A special thanks is given to the staff at Traverse Manor and the nurses at Chronic Care Management who helped provide care. Carmen is survived by her son Charles Miller of Traverse City, daughter Charlotte Miller of Lansing, and daughter Martha (Bradley) Miller Cornell of Naples, FL; grandson Nathaniel of Ann Arbor and granddaughter Caroline Cornell. She was beloved aunt of 13 nieces and nephews. A memorial service honoring Carmen will be held Saturday, October 26, 2019, 11AM, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St., Traverse City 49684. Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services are caring for Carmen and her family. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories. Memorial contributions may be directed to Grace Episcopal Church, 341 Washington St., Traverse City 49684; or Brickways, 935 Barlow St., Traverse City 49686.