Beloved community member and devoted friend to Adventist Health Ukiah Valley In memory of Aldene Miller
Aldene moved to Southern California from Greely, Colorado to study nursing. It was there that she met and fell in love with Glenn Miller, a young medical student. They married in 1944 and moved to Ukiah in 1947 to embark on their medical careers and raise their family. Glenn Miller was a respected physician at Adventist Health Ukiah Valley (AHUV) for many years while Aldene enjoyed a career in nursing. They were blessed to be married for 70 years.
After retiring from nursing, Aldene volunteered for over 20 years in the “old” emergency department of Adventist Health Ukiah Valley. She is fondly remembered by staff as a very kind, thoughtful person who took her volunteer work seriously in what was a very crowded and hectic space. She met everyone she with a heartwarming smile and a genuine welcome.
Aldene loved the action and unpredictability of the emergency department and how efficient the staff operated in that environment. Her son Steve Miller and daughter Marilyn Etchell recall their mother sharing stories of her volunteer days: distressed families coming in with a sick child and Aldene bringing them sandwiches and laying out blankets with toys for the child’s siblings in the waiting room… rounding with almond chocolate kisses because she felt the doctors needed “protein” while they were working so hard… sandwiches for the sheriff deputies who would be guarding patients for hours. Dedication and caring for others was very important to Aldene.
She had already retired from her volunteer work when the new Emergency Department and ICU building was completed; however, Aldene was the first to tour it with her son and AHUV emergency department physician Marvin G. Trotter, MD at the grand opening. Her son Steve remembers that his mother was very moved while touring the space, saying, “This is beautiful. Glenn would have loved this.”
A dedicated nurse, mother and friend to many, Aldene is not only known for saying “God is love,” but for living her life with purpose and kindness, guided by her faith. She instilled the importance of gratitude and kindness to her children.
Music was her passion and she played with the Ukiah Symphony Orchestra until she was 80 as an accomplished violinist. She enjoyed the beauty of nature’s blessings and was fond of azaleas and bluebirds. Known for her energetic personality, she made health and wellness a priority and enjoyed walking in nature and playing tennis. Her positive personality was vibrant, and she expressed it even in the clothes she wore, like her red shoes that made her so happy.
Aldene’s inspiring spirit and dedication will live on in her legacy and the impact she had on so many. According to Aldene’s children, she would smile and feel honored if people made donations in her name to the AHUV Nursing Education Fund. To make a gift, please visit the AHUV donation webpage.