February 22, 1927 - February 15, 2025
In Loving Memory ~
After a long and active life, Naomi Miller passed away on February 15, 2025, a week before her 98th birthday. Born to Alan and Lucy Allsebrook near Kaslo, BC, Naomi's independence led her to study nursing at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC before working in tuberculosis wards and marrying engineer Peter Miller.
Naomi and Peter lived in Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan before returning to BC, living in Kaslo, Salmo, Riondel, Terrace, and Golden. They retired to Wasa, BC and became active in the community. Peter passed away in 2009. When driving became difficult for Naomi she moved into Cranbrook.
Naomi was a Kootenay historian. Active as a storyteller in costume at Fort Steele, she wrote the book "Fort Steele: Gold Rush to Boom Town" and co-edited "The Forgotten Side of the Border" with Wayne Norton. She was Vice-President, then President, of the BC Historical Federation, and Editor of the "British Columbia Historical News". She wrote articles for the BC History of Nursing Newsletter and for over a decade was the monthly author of "History Bytes" for the Tri-Village Buzz.
Among Naomi's many awards are Honorary Lifetime memberships from the Girl Guides of Canada, the BC Historical Federation, BC History of Nursing Society, and the Friends of Fort Steele Society. Other honours include the BC Heritage Award, an Award of Merit from the BC Museums Association for her role in developing the Golden Museum, and a UBC Nursing Award of Distinction. In 2017 she was named RDEK volunteer of the year for her service and commitment to the community.
Naomi loved the outdoors, giving up skating at age 88, and continuing to cycle, swim, and cross-country ski into her 90s. She is survived by her 6 children (Verle, Heather, Barbara, Joy, Murray, and Ruth), 12 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. She will be missed.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 1 pm at Christ Church Anglican in Cranbrook.
Service Details
1:00 PM