(1919-2017)

“One does not get too far from one’s dream”

Sister Diana, baptized Mary Agatha Miller, was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, on February 10, 1919. She was the third of seven children born to William and Lucy (MacArthur) Miller. Her two older brothers, Jerry and Blake, were born in Detroit. Her four younger siblings – Edward, Jane, Philip, and Grace – were born in Royal Oak. 

In her autobiography, Sister Diana shared the following details about her family and her attraction to foreign missions. 

My father and mother met in Michigan and their courtship lasted for three years. Finally in January 1912 William and Lucy were married and my mother embraced Catholicism. During the Great Depression they lost all the worldly things they had. This forced us to move closer to [St. Mary] School which delighted us because now we could go home for lunch. We lived on the east side of Royal Oak with plenty of space: trees, wild flowers in the woods, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, berry bushes and three kinds of grapes.

I went to St. Mary for grade and high school. One time in the thirties, a missionary priest came to the school and talked about his work in Hunan, China. I believe this priest was Father William Westhovan. It was then that my thoughts about China began. Dad and Mother were always behind me, listening, suggesting and helping. 

I entered Adrian in the fall of 1937 and at that time there was talk in the community of opening a place in Hunan, China. However, Japan invaded China and we were on the brink of World War II. Adrian was advised not to pursue the mission fields in the Orient. My yearning and desire to work with His little ones has never ceased.

Read more about Sister Diana (pdf)

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221.

 

Vigil for Sister Diana:

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Funeral for Sister Diana:

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