Mary Miller

Mary (Bingaman) Miller, age 93, wife of the late James Albert Miller of Malvern, Pennsylvania, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025 in her residence. Born on November 30, 1931, in Reading, she was a daughter of the late Esther (Sailor) and Paul L. Bingaman. With a degree in Early Childhood Education from Penn State University, Mary became a lifelong child educator. She was on the forefront of early childhood education when she became the founder and director of Great Valley Day Care Center in Malvern where she, with the support of the community, began mainstreaming preschoolers. She continued this mission for many years as she raised her own children. She continued her support of early childhood education even after retirement as a volunteer reader in the nearby elementary school. Mary had many interests and learned to sew and knit at a very young age and continued with the addition of cross stitch and quilting throughout her life. She could always be found working on a baby blanket, bib, or placemats for the many grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She also enjoyed the challenge of crosswords, puzzles and playing boardgames. Mary was a voracious reader and was known for gifting books to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. During the last few years, while living at Echo Lake in Malvern, she was in the book club and donated books as fast as she could read them. Her enjoyment of reading didn't stop with books, she read the newspaper, and sometimes two, every day, along with many nature and news magazines. Mary loved to travel with family whether it was to the Olympics or to the Haag, she enjoyed the events, the culture, and history! She and Jim, upon retirement, especially enjoyed European river boat cruises. It was these life experiences that fed the desire to donate to many charitable causes, especially those involving nature and the environment. In her younger years, Mary enjoyed gardening, especially flowers! In the last few years, while living at Echo Lake, she had a flower garden that would bloom beautiful flowers for months on end. She could even be seen feeding the birds. When her friends at Echo Lake had a birthday, she would cut fresh flowers for them! She had been an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Malvern prior to her dedicated membership at St. John's Lutheran Church in Phoenixville for over 35 years. While at St. John's she served on multiple committees. In recent years, she looked forward to visits from the pastor and catching up on the bulletins and newsletters. Her gift as a child educator could be observed at home as well. Mary and Jim never missed children and grandchildren's events, whether it be for sports, camps, music, or plays. With the grandchildren, they often had multiple events in a day. But she loved to hold infants. She was always willing to babysit, so long as the children were brought to her home. She would often babysitting multiple grandchildren in the same day. Most importantly, Mary was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Mary is survived by five children, Eric J., husband of Sandy Miller of Kimberton, PA; Paul B., husband of Mary Lou Miller of West Chester, PA; Scott A., husband of Daria Miller of Downingtown, PA; Kimberly M., wife of Scott Breidenbach of Royersford, PA, and Michele M. Seel of Blue Bell, PA. Additionally, Mary is survived by thirteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren: Aaron J Miller, husband of Jacqui and father of Genevieve and Alexandra Miller; Kristen E. Greene, wife of Michael Greene; Josh P. Miller, husband of Jessica Miller, and father of Kellen Miller; Stephen J. Miller, husband of Erica Miller, and father of Hailey Miller; Paul B. Miller; Nicholas J. Dastalfo, husband of Kristi and father of Marley, Jesse, and Shane Dastalfo; Alison M. O'Neill, wife of Kyle O'Neill, mother of Travis and Taylor O'Neill; Evan J. Miller, wife of Taylor Miller, and father of Hayden Miller; Kevin L. Dastalfo, husband of Jeanie and father of Blaire, Stephen, Darcy, and Boaz Dastalfo; Andrew D. Seel; Katie B. Miller; Mark S. Miller; and Ashley R. Seel. She was preceded in death by siblings: Russell, John, Alton, Ruth, Lucy Ann Bingaman. Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made in Mary's name to St. John's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 355 St. John's Circle, Phoenixville, PA 19460. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc. Condolences may be offered online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.

Mary Miller

November 30, 1931 - April 7, 2025