Pauline Ann Miller

In the early morning hours of September 4, 2023, Pauline (Polly) Ann Miller, held in the arms of her husband in their Chicago home, took her last breath, slipping quietly and peacefully away from this world. For several years Polly stoically confronted the debilitating course of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Only weeks before, in July, she celebrated her 77th birthday and 55th wedding anniversary.

Born in Brockton, Massachusetts on July 7,1946, Polly was the youngest of three siblings, which may help to explain her lifelong love of books and commitment to justice, fairness, and kindness. In 1949, Polly and her family moved West to Tucson, Arizona.

Polly graduated with distinction from the University of Arizona (U of A) in 1968, receiving academic memberships in Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Alpha Theta. It was there at the University of Arizona, Polly and Neil met in the summer of 1967 and fell in love. A year later they were married on July 13, 1968 at Ft. Benning, Georgia and spent their first two years of marriage in Frankfurt, Germany. Returning to Tucson, she received her master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance from the U of A in 1972, and in 1978, she received her Juris Doctorate from the College of Law, U of A.

Upon receiving her law degree, Polly accepted a position as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Arizona handling complex, sensitive foster care child abuse cases. The recognized quality of her legal work as an Assistant Attorney General, and her commitment to the children in her cases well prepared Polly for her next career position as an attorney and senior litigator for the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Educational Opportunities Section in Washington, DC, where she served the people of the United States for more than 25 years until her retirement in 2012.

While Polly had a distinguished legal career, her proudest achievements were her children Lauren and Alex, both of whom were so excited to meet their mom they showed up two months early. Polly and her husband Neil guided their children with love and encouragement, and they both carry the spirit of Polly’s love, fairness, and commitment to social justice. Throughout her life, Polly was there for so many friends and family members who, at times, needed some extra support, love and encouragement, for which they will be eternally thankful.

Polly loved Washington Nationals baseball, road trips through the Shenandoah Valley, and the novels of Jane Austen, which she re-read every year. And as a life-long cat lover, she often had a cat on her lap as she read.

During the last years of Polly’s life, she was elated to welcome grandson Morgan, who provided hours of light and love.

Polly was preceded in death by her father, John Richard Simmons, her mother, Lillian (Lil) Lewis Simmons, and her sister, Penny Simmons. She is survived by her husband Neil, daughter Lauren, son Alex and his partner Lorraine Barger and their son Morgan, brother Jack Simmons (Gaylon), many nieces and nephews and beloved friends too numerous to count.

The exceptional quality of Polly’s outstanding legal career was clearly matched throughout her life by her caring love, gentle kindness, and humanity as a loving wife, mother, and friend. Polly is loved and missed every day. A Celebration of Life will be held in Tucson, Arizona in late December.

For those wishing to donate in Polly’s name, her husband Neil recommends Advocate Hospice who provided Polly and the family 24/7 compassionate end of life care including all medical equipment, supplies and staffing. All gifts to Advocate Hospice are accepted through Advocate Charitable Foundation Gift Processing Center, 3075 Highland Parkway, Suite600, Downers Grove, Il. 60515.

You may also use donate.advocategiving.org/hospicegratitude

Or call 414-615-5935.