Irene Marie (Hawkins) Miller, 96, of Visalia, California, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 5, 2017. Irene was born in Visalia on June 18, 1921, to parents, Velma Elizabeth Cline & Clarence Woodson Hawkins. Irene lived in various places in California & Washington during her childhood. She moved back to Visalia shortly after graduating in 1940 from Broadway High School in Seattle, WA. She found work at the Southern California Edison Company where she met her future husband, LeRoy W. Miller. He was quickly smitten and swept her off to Las Vegas, where they married on June 28, 1941. In his lifetime, he never stopped reminding his family how lucky he was to have her by his side -- she was the love of his life. Irene followed him through the WWII years, wherever he was stationed in the Army Air Corps. After the war, they settled into family life in Visalia. Camping trips to Sequoia was a love they shared and it became a summer tradition with their children. In 1956, LeRoy was transferred to the Los Angeles area. They made their home in La Habra for 24 years where their children graduated from high school. Irene worked as a secretary at various times over the years. She was an avid fan of the L. A. Dodgers, and being a season ticket holder right behind home plate, she and her close friend Jeanne Powers were thrilled to have their pictures taken with their hero, Don Drysdale. LeRoy retired in 1979 and they returned to make their home in Visalia again. She enjoyed being involved with the Groovy Grannys for several years. She also enjoyed spending time with her sister-in-law, Elva Clark, and LeRoy's aunt & cousin, Lois Wallace & Ruthie Evans, traveling to Hawaii & Mexico several times. They shared a strong bond through their mutual faith in Jesus Christ, encouraging each other. Her life mostly revolved around her family, and family get-togethers were always a fun occasion. An excellent cook, most family gatherings were enjoyed with her boysenberry cobbler & the homemade vanilla ice cream (with a touch of lemon) that was fine-tuned by her & Elva. Family history was something that LeRoy started in their early years -- and it was learned that Irene was the great-great-granddaughter of Alexander Hamilton Willard, one of the 33 members that began & finished the Lewis & Clark Expedition of 1804-1806. Irene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother & great-grandmother, and very much loved by all her family. Since LeRoy's passing in 2013, she has been lovingly cared for by her children living in Visalia. Irene was predeceased by her parents, and her brother, Gordon Kenneth Hawkins in 1986. She is survived by her children, Barbara (Warren) Lane of Forest Grove, Oregon; David (Cindy) Miller of Visalia; Daniel (Gail) Miller of Forest Grove, Oregon; and Sheree (Craig) Altobelle of Visalia. Grandchildren: Michael Lane, Karen Lane Romero, Michelle Miller Brown, Steven Lane, Jessica Fester, Matthew Lane, Tawny Altobelle, Jason Miller, Kimberly Miller Conard, Darren Miller, Sean Miller, Kira Gipson, Dawn Monarrez; and over 20 great-grandchildren. Burial will be at Visalia District Cemetery.
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