Sara L. Miller

Sara Louise Miller, 80, of Peterborough, NH passed away on September 30, 2023 at Rivermead.

She was born on May 29, 1943, in Flint, MI, and adopted by the late Charles and Louise Smith at the age of six months.

Sara grew up in Eaton Rapids Michigan on her grandfather’s dairy farm and ice cream plant and spent many happy hours either hiding from her chores so she could read or following the workers around asking a million questions.

Education was a major love of Sara’s life and she graduated from St. Mary’s Hall in Fairbault Michigan to go on to Kalamazo College, Columbia, Bank Street and Vermont College. Sara held a Masters of Library Science, A Masters of Education and an MFA in Writing for Children.

At Kalamazo she spent a year abroad in Sierra Leone on the west coast of Africa an experience she never forgot and one that opened a path that kept her interested in travel and other cultures all of her life.

Sara became a Children’s Librarian at both the NY Public Library and the White Plains Public Library. She also taught Children’s Literature at Queens College. One of the highlights of her time as a Librarian was sitting on the committee for the Caldecott Award and Chairing the Newbury Medal Committee. In addition, she Chaired the Children’s Notable Books List for several years.

 An aspiring writer herself, Sara felt the hallmark of her years in New Hampshire was attending, for over a decade, a writing workshop with poet, Kate Gleason. And being an active member of The Monadnock Writer’s Group including serving as an Editor for Smoky Quartz and as the President of the Board of Directors.

A very rich part of her life, Sara studied Shamanism in the Canada and the US and graduated from the Stillpoint School. She was also a Hospice Volunteer.

Sara could be most often found in her retirement sitting with her beloved cats, sometimes watching old movies, but most often reading and rereading a long, long list of cozy mysteries and other favorites. Her friends were certain she could recite all of Agatha Christie.

She is predeceased by her parents, Charles and Louise Smith, and her sister Annette Williams.  

Sara is survived by her niece Heather Williams, her nephew Eric Williams, her step-brother Charles Smith, her nephew Andrew Smith, and niece Lynette Perkins.

Sara will be buried in the family plot at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Eaton Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Doctors Without Borders, any of your local libraries or a charity of your choice.