Ann Carolyn (Cornell) Miller, 91, of Carrollton, TX, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2021 after a lengthy illness. Born on May 21, 1930 in Tillsonburg, Ontario, as the daughter of Harry Lewis Cornell and Emily Irene (Vincent) Cornell who were US citizens, Ann held dual citizenship in Canada and the United States. She was also the wife of Robert (“Bob”) W. Miller, her beloved husband, with whom she shared 67 loving years of marriage. Ann grew up in New Jersey, graduating in 1948 from Millburn HS. She enrolled at Stephens College (MO), earning an Associate of Arts degree, and soon thereafter she became a TWA ticket agent. She met Bob, who was in the U.S. Air Force, through a mutual friend and they fell in love. After dating for two years, they married on May 13, 1954 in Ann’s hometown church. After a honeymoon, the newlyweds made their home in England where Bob was stationed. When Ann became pregnant with their first child, they toured Europe, and Bob completed his Air Force commitment. Then, they moved to Michigan where they made their home for 30 years. They retired to Salem, SC where they lived for another 30 years, and then they moved to Texas to live out their final chapter. Ann’s and Bob’s marriage was founded on Christian faith and they were blessed when Robin, Wendy, Karen and Robert were born into their family. Ann joined Bob’s boyhood church in Farmington, MI, where she led fundraising efforts, and drove her children to choir practices on Saturday mornings for many years.. Ann used her artistic talents to paint beautiful flowers on porcelain and to create masterful needlework art projects which she often gave away as gifts. As an ardent animal lover, she welcomed several stray dogs and cats into her home and made them full-fledged family members. She became a Detroit Red Wings fan, and she enjoyed reading, bowling, and playing golf, as well as playing bridge and Mahjong. Finally, she and Bob served on the first Detroit-area Ronald McDonald House Board of Directors, ensuring that families had a place to stay when a child needed to be hospitalized. Ann’s Christian faith was the foundation for her joyful, productive, and rewarding life; above all, Ann was devoted to creating a warm, welcoming, and value-instilled family life which is her prized legacy. Those left to cherish her memories include her husband of 67 loving years, Robert (“Bob”) W. Miller; her daughters Robin (Rich) Young of Gainesville, VA; Karen (Rick) Blevins of Flower Mound, TX; her son, Robert W. Miller, Jr. of Lewisville, TX; and her son-in-law, Edward Rizzuto of Gueydan, LA. Ann will also be fondly remembered by her grandchildren: Lauren (Paul) Ledoux; Thomas (Sarah) Rizzuto; Matthew Young, and Meagan (Matt) Ball. Her seven great-grandchildren will also miss her dearly; Elise, Noah, and Ethan Ledoux; Emma, Ryan, and Cooper Ball; and Lincoln Rizzuto. Ann was welcomed into Heaven by her parents; her brother, Harry Richard (“Dick”) Cornell; and her beloved daughter, Wendy (Edward) Rizzuto. A memorial service was held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the Flower Mound United Methodist Church, Flower Mound, TX, with Reverend Taylor Smith officiating. Those wishing to honor Ann’s life with a memorial are asked to make a donation to the Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, P.O. Box 567, Kanab, Utah, 84741-0567 (support.bestfriends.org; phone: 435-644-2001).
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Oh dear, so sad to learn of my childhood friend’s passing. I grew up with Carolyn, Muffy..how she hated that name when we entered adulthood. We attended grammar school together and was one of the few classmates I was allowed to walk to as our houses were quite nearby. Bailey St and Ridgewood Rd respectively. One Summer her Mom, always Mrs. Cornell to me, asked my mother if I could accompany her to pick up Muffy who had been spending time in Canada with her cousins and bring her back to Millburn. I had never left NJ, much less the USA and when I think of Niagara Falls, I also think…to this day of Mrs. Cornell who spent time to take the tourist path and show me this everlasting spectacular site. I recall the sad event that lead to my friend’s meeting Bob, the love of her life. Our two families corresponded via Christmas cards informing one another as each precious child came along for many, many years. Livonia, Salem and the beautiful lake house. I last saw you, Bob, and your bride, at the last MHS reunion ever at a golf club in Short Hills. As I recall, we were all kind of “up there”. What a special gathering. Forgive me, I am reaching back but only do so out of love and in the spirit of such good fortune that our respective families experienced the absolutely best of times. I’m sad that my friend, Carolyn, Muffy, Ann..is gone from your lives but please know that she still lives in the memories of people you will never know nor meet and that those memories still brings smiles.