Patricia Joan Miller

Patricia Joan (Collette) Miller passed away peacefully at Williston Care Center on Sunday, April 28th, 2024 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s that lasted 12 years.

Patty or Pat, as she was known by family and friends, was born February 26, 1949 in Massena, St Lawrence County, New York to Paul Hezikiah Collette and Sarah Margaret Brannen.  She was the middle of 3 daughters born to them.

Her education was via the Massena school system and her formative years centered on the care and maintenance of horses and the races they attended at the Massena Driving Club.  Her parents’ interest in the equine lifestyle drew Pat into many aspects of raising horses, which lasted for over 50+ years of her life.  As she graduated from high school, Pat went on to nursing school and obtained her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) certification.  Pat used her LPN certification to obtain employment at Highland Nursing Home in Massena, where she worked for approximately 10 years.

Pat was married to Ronald Ivan Miller, son of Carroll Bertrand Miller Sr and Ermaline “Irma” Ione (Hatch) Miller on Jul 05, 1969 in Massena.  She became the proud mother of two sons, Ronald Paul Miller in 1970 and Scott Michael Miller in 1976.  Pat enjoyed her family and providing a loving home for them and extended family with holiday gatherings and other events at their Beach Street home.  As the boys graduated from high school, she enjoyed seeing the men they became and celebrating their accomplishments.  In later years, Pat enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren and getting to spend time with them.

In the last 20 years of her life, Pat developed an avid interest in shopping flea markets and yard sales and collecting a growing assortment of knickknacks.  A trip to any of the local county fairs was always a happy event for her also.  Pat and Ron relocated from Massena NY to Ocala FL in Apr 2013 to find warmer weather after years of harsh winter northern NY climate and put to rest a life of work with horses.  They made a comfortable home in Ocala, but were soon informed that Pat’s repeated forgetfulness was actually the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and over the remaining years travel became less frequent and care-giving more necessary.  She enjoyed spending time with those who came to their home to visit until caregiving was not enough and a more professional type of care was needed in Williston.

Pat is survived by her husband, Ronald Miller, eldest son, Ronald (Sandra) Miller of Ocala and youngest son, Scott (Christina) Miller of Massena. In addition, she is survived by her younger sister, Marsha (William) Sienkiewicz of Massena and two grandchildren, Joshua Scott (fiancée Michelle White) Miller and Rebecca “Becky” Marie Miller and three brother-in-laws, Carl (Michele) Miller of Watertown, NY, Sherwin Miller of Quincy, MA, Gordon Miller of Loretto, PA, as well as various nieces and cousins

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Paul in 1988 and Margaret in 2001, older sister, Kathleen Paula Collette in 1998.

Donations in Pat’s name can be made to one of three charities or one of your own choice:

Shriners Children's Florida - Pediatric Orthotic & Prosthetic Services (POPS)
15511 North Florida Ave., Suite 602, Tampa, FL 33613

Williston Care Center
300 NW 1st Ave, Williston, FL 32696

Alzheimer Association - Donor Services (for RESEARCH funding)
225 N Michigan Ave  Fl #17
Chicago, IL  60601-7652

Crevasse's Simple Cremations of Ocala is handling the final arrangements.  No service is planned.