Victoria Catherine Miller (nee Gazda), 90 of Whiting, passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, January 30, 2010 at her residence. She was born on Center Street in Whiting, Indiana on December 28, 1919 to Ignatius and Barbara (Fedor) Gazda and was a true "Whitingite" her entire life. She married Arthur Miller on January 29, 1940 and together they raised five wonderful children; the late Artie Miller, Pati (Steve) Manich, Richard (Cynthia) Miller, Edward (Jo) Russo and Mary Elizabeth (Tom) Solberg; cherished "Nanny" to Melissa Miller, Alexander Manich, Lauren and Lindsey Miller, Melanie Miller and Victoria and Patrick Solberg; adoring great grandma of Theresa Victoria Miller and Angelina Estes; dear sister of Francis "Bud" Gazda and the late John Gazda, Fred Gazda and Rose Marie Koval; dearest sister-in-in law of Florence Gazda; favorite aunt and Godmother of Tresie Gazda Buksar and Amy Jo Gazda; fond aunt of many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. at the Baran Funeral Home, 1235-119th St., Whiting. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting, with the Rev. John E. Kalicky, C.PP.S. officiating. Cremation to follow. Visitation at the funeral home Friday, from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. Members of the parish together with the Marian Theatre Guild will offer prayers at the funeral home Friday at 4:00 p.m.
Victoria Miller was exceptionally talented and inquisitive; she pursued her dreams and was a woman of great faith. She had studied opera and had sung professionally. Victoria met her husband while singing with one of the "Big Bands" of the 40's as they both shared a love for music. She had sung with the St. John Adult Choir for many years and through the choir had become involved with the St. John Drama Club, which today is the Marian Theatre Guild, a member for over 75 years. Vic had performed in many shows; she sang all the Rodgers and Hammerstein "tour d' force" roles, including, Mother Abbess, Lady Thiang and her signature, Bloody Mary. She had designed costumes, produced shows, directed five major productions and served as past president of Marian Theatre. Dedicated to the arts, she was also a member of Community Showcase Theatre, the Whiting-Robertsdale Arts Alive! and was a board member of Chorus Angelorum. She was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Whiting, where she had served on the Parish Council. Vic was a member of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Assoc., Br. 81, the Women's Guild of the Calumet College of St. Joseph, where she was also a past president and the Whiting-Robertsdale Community Improvement Corp. Victoria was most well read and would bring home bags of books from the Whiting Public Library. She had a great love of cooking; there wasn't a cookbook she wouldn't enjoy. Her love for self-help books landed her an interview on the "Oprah Show". She had also appeared in several movies, two with Steve McQueen. Professionally, she was a certified grapho-analyst and was the owner of the former "Patchwork" in Whiting from 1973 to 1985. Vic loved a good party and social gatherings with family and friends. Victoria was an extraordinarily vital woman who loved people, life and Whiting, Indiana. She died as graciously as she lived. "Carpe Diem" Memorials to the Marian Theatre Guild or to Chorus Angelorum would be appreciated. (219) 659-4400.
