05/26/2026
Melanie Jan Miller
Melanie Jan Miller, born on July 19, 1956 in Niagara Falls, NY passed away peacefully on May 25, 2026 at her residence in Durham, NC.
Melanie is survived by two daughters, Tessa and Emily, and her husband David. Both girls were born in Glens Falls, NY before the family moved to Maine for David's fisheries career. She raised her daughters in Lamoine, ME. After her girls grew up, she became a Certified Professional Coder before moving to Durham, NC where she built a career as a Patient Supply Associate at Duke Homecare and Hospice.
Melanie loved to go on trips with her daughters, traveling to Beaufort, NC her favorite Southern town; Beaufort, SC to see the home of her favorite author Patrick Conroy; Atlanta, GA to feed elephants by hand; Havana, Cuba to learn their history and culture, also the place she asked Emily to plan a trip for when she got her first passport in her 60s; Playa del Carmen to eat her favorite Mexican foods and have a good, "real" margarita; and many more. She appreciated a good thunderstorm, a warm day to sit on the porch with a beer, and going out for a fun meal with some live music. Her daughters were her favorite people in life and she was happy to have them both on August 12 but 3 years apart, often remarking that this was her favorite holiday. She was loved not only by her daughters, but also her son-in-laws (Nathan and Javier) plus several "dogren" (her term for our very loved and spoiled family dogs) Sugar, Georgia, and Walker, and her grand-dogren Douglas, Bentley, Hazel, and Noodle. She also adored, doted on, and wished she had more time to spoil the newest love of her life, Everett Miller Priest, her first grandson.
Melanie did not want a funeral service and she did not want people to mourn her passing. She wants anyone who cares to reflect on their past together, remember the good times, and smile. Drink a beer, have some ice cream, enjoy a lovely day basking in the sun in her honor. No flowers or gifts are desired. If you feel compelled, please donate in her memory to your favorite charity, or if you'd like a suggestion, contribute to Saving Grace Animals for Adoption in NC where she and her daughters volunteer and many dog's lives are changed for the better.
SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO PEAKS & WATERS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CARE.
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