Joanne Maureen Miller

Joanne Maureen Miller passed away peacefully in her home in Santa Barbara in the early morning of September 14, 2014.

Joanne was born on October 23, 1928 to Cyril and Elizabeth Schmidt in Flint, Michigan. After graduating from St. Michael’s school in Flint, and then the University of Michigan, Joanne married her beloved Burton Miller on June 17, 1950. Burt and Jo began their life together in the midwest, raising their family, starting their careers and getting involved in community service.

After several relocations, the family settled for good in Santa Barbara in 1964. Joanne took up teaching and environmental activism. She founded the Foothill Presevation League. She earned a Masters Degree in Environmental Biology at UCSB in 1972. She served on the Santa Barbara Planning Commission for many years, and twice ran for the Santa Barbara city council. She founded an affordable housing development company, Homes for People, which sponsored the construction or rehabilitation of hundreds of units of sweat-equity housing in Santa Barbara.

Joanne was preceded in death by her husband Burton in Santa Barbara in 1993. She is survived by her three siblings and their spouses: Mary Ellen and John Williams of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Evelyn Mott of Tampa Florida, and James and Martha Schmidt of Palo Alto, California; her six children and their spouses: Margaret (Peggie) Feldstein of Santa Barbara, Vincent Miller of Berkeley California, Stephen and Bennie Miller of Sun City West Arizona, Randall and Barbara Miller of Lompoc California, Elizabeth and Bruce Aafedt of Tuscon Arizona, and Christopher and Michelle Miller of San Mateo, California; and by her four grandchildren: Emma Miller, Kate Miller, Aaron Feldstein, and Hannah Feldstein.

Joanne’s children wish to thank all those who have helped their mother during her last years. They especially want to mention her principal caregivers: Emma Mae Norte, Leanne Gil, Marina Quintana, and Ofelia Szell.

At her request, Joanne’s remains will be cremated and scattered at sea. A public memorial service will take place at Shoreline Park in Santa Barbara