Patricia Joanne Miller

Pat was a wonderful woman whose greatest joy was her family. She deeply loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Pat was born on July 23, 1942, in El Monte, California, and graduated from Baldwin Park High School. During Labor Day weekend in 1956, she met the love of her life, Paul Miller, by the swimming pool at Morgan Park. As was tradition at the time, the senior boys had “kidnapped” the freshman girls following their high school orientation. That weekend, Paul held the hand of the cute little 14-year-old Patti in the backseat of his friend’s car. She held his hand for the next 68 years. They were married on February 10, 1961.

While Paul attended night school for 10 years, Pat began her career working in private medical practices in Covina, California, while also caring for their home and raising their young family. She spent countless hours taking their children Ron and Jodi to their many activities, from sports fields to dance halls. She was also actively involved in their school and PTA organizations. When Paul completed night school in 1973, Pat finally had more time to pursue interests of her own.

In 1970, Pat and Paul bought their first home in La Verne, California, where they spent the next 24 years raising their family and forming friendships that would last a lifetime. Pat’s greatest joy was being a mother to Ron and Jodi. She rarely missed a game, recital, or special event in which her children participated.

In the early 1970s, Pat returned to the medical field, working as an insurance specialist and office manager for Dr. Sahhar in Glendora. She quickly earned his trust and friendship and loved being an integral part of his private practice. Before long, Dr. Sahhar’s office became the unofficial medical office for the extended Miller and Escujuri families. Pat always made sure her family members were brought to the back and settled into a much more comfortable “waiting room.”

In 1973, Pat and Paul were introduced to boating on the Colorado River in Parker, Arizona. After their first weekend trip, they were hooked. The river became the Miller family’s favorite vacation destination for the next 50 years and a special place where Pat and Paul shared countless memories with their children, grandchildren, family, and friends. On any given weekend, Pat could be found at the beach playing Rummikub with one of her many friends. Some of the family’s happiest days were spent together at the river.

Following Paul’s retirement, and after a short time in Tucson, Paul and Pat moved to Las Vegas, where they spent the next 23 years at the Painted Desert Golf Community and made many special and lasting friendships. Pat continued working as an insurance specialist for private medical practices in Tucson and Las Vegas until her retirement in 2019.

Perhaps Pat’s greatest and most cherished role was simply being “Nana.” She wanted to be the kind of grandmother that her own grandmother, “little grandma,” had been to her. She made every effort to spend as much time with them as possible. When Nana was around, she was fun, loving, playful, and just a little bit wacky. She loved playing games, laughing, and doing whatever her grandchildren wanted to do. Those moments became treasured memories that her family will carry with them always.

During her final years, Pat lived at Quail Park at Shannon Ranch in Visalia, California, where she made many new friends and was deeply grateful for the kindness and loving care she received from the staff. Her final months were spent at Clearwater Ahwatukee in Phoenix, Arizona, where she was surrounded by the same warmth and compassion from their wonderful staff. Pat’s family extends their heartfelt thanks to everyone at both communities who helped make her final years safe, comfortable, and filled with friendship and care.

Pat is survived by her two children, Ron (Gina) Miller and Jodi (Al) Bates; six grandchildren, Trent Bates, Mark (Justine) Miller, Emily (Ben) Loftis, Kelly Miller, Sarah (Matty) Battista, and Julia (Andrew) Atwell; two great-grandchildren, Walter Loftis and Isabelle Miller, two brothers, Joseph “Butch” (Kathy) Escujuri and James (Jo Ann) Escujuri, numerous nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

She is welcomed in Heaven by her beloved husband, Paul Miller; her son, Randall Miller; her parents, John and La Verne Escujuri; and her brother, John Escujuri. Pat will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, but the love she gave so freely and the memories she created will remain with her family and friends forever.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Sept 21, 2026, at Miramar National Cemetery. Please arrive between 10:30 AM and 10:50 AM. Family and friends are invited to gather, pay their respects, and celebrate the life of Patricia Joanne Miller.

For those wishing to honor Pat’s memory, donations in her name may be made in support of Parkinson’s research at give.michaeljfox.org