Susan Williams Miller
March 1, 1927 – June 17, 2024

Susan Williams Miller of 4 Standish Rd on Nauset Heights and Wake Robin Vermont died as light came up, Monday, June 17, 2024. She was 97 years old. Her death would be described by the Chinese as a happy death; a deserved transition after a life of grace. She was with family and caring staff.

Sue was born in Spuyten Duyvil, New York, on a hill above the Hudson River, where the East River splits from the Hudson, creating the Island of Manhattan. Her parents were Charles Wyatt Williams and Hope Johnson. Charlie was a civil engineer. Hope was the daughter of Elias Johnson.

Sue grew up with with her older sister Edith Williams, and enjoyed the country life outside of New York City and rode a horse all about Riverdale. She attended Riverdale Country Day school, and then a quaker boarding School, The George School. She loved the family’s summer cottage on Cape Cod and remembered the black out curtains needed during WWII. Her upbringing was formal and very well mannered. I have often asked about childhood mischief; Sue insists she was not naughty, but she was certainly proud of her best friend, Mary Fickett, who became an acclaimed actress and was very naughty indeed. If you have ever watched All My Children, you will know Mary as Ruth Martin. That Ruth Martin was not naughty is testament to Mary’s acting skills.

Sue attended Wheaton College and wed Charles Burr Spencer after her Junior year. They first lived in Scarborough then eventually raised their family in Bronxville NY. Sue loved everything social including the Junior League, and excelled as a hostess. She loved Broadway, and dinners in the City. She played tennis avidly, enjoyed snow skiing, and tolerated golf.

After 35 years, Sue divorced, then married Eric T. Miller, they had quite a love for another 25 years, and enjoyed most of that time in Carmel Valley, CA. Eric and she were great tennis partners, but golf was still only tolerated. Once again, they attracted a large group of friends and socialized with zeal. They continued to gather family at Sue’s small cottage on Cape Cod. This special place soon became a tradition for her new family, the children and then grandchildren of Eric. As the ranks swelled, memories and connections were forged. Dinners grew to 21 people nightly and Sue flawlessly fed the crew; the recipe’s immortalized in a family cookbook, corn and squash rolls a staple of each meal.

When Eric died in 2013, Sue moved to Vermont to be close to family. She lived independently at Wake Robin, a life care community just minutes from her son Ken and his wife Eliza. She spent her final years in assisted living at Wake Robin due to blindness, surrounded by the caring staff and regularly hosting Ken, Eliza, and son Elias, for shared wine, olives, almonds, and most of her dinner. She ate not more than one quarter of her hamburger, careful to save room for chocolate caramels and a few Tate’s cookies. She loved Margherita pizza and root beer floats.

Through every chapter of Sue’s life, she was full of grace. Those who met her were in awe of her kindness, engagement and genuine interest in others. She focused on the positive and insisted on civility. She was a great conversationist and seemed adept at getting to the heart of the matter. Though gracious and mannered, she did not tolerate bullies. She could be tough as steel if needed, a trait shared by both Johnson sisters. She also did not tolerate whining finding it annoying and useless.

Thank you mom, for clear messages, setting a high standard of civility, and such a beautiful and well lived life.

Sue leaves: her son Charles Burr Spencer III and his partner Emily Paine, son Kenneth Williams Spencer and his wife Eliza Pillard, step son Eric Miller and his wife Peggy, step daughter Kathy Dupont and her husband Peter, and stepdaughter Carolyn Bednarz and husband Paul. She has many grandchildren and even some great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter Holly, granddaughter Bailey Ann Spencer, and husbands Charles Burr Spencer and Eric Thomas Miller.

The family invites you to share your memories and condolences at awrfh.com. Please add pictures to help make Sue’s story complete. Cheers to a good life.