It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Jo Miller (nee Fackler) on August 26, 2024, at the age of 81 after bravely living with the complications of corticobasal degeneration for the past five years. Mary Jo was the only child born to Orile Neel Fackler and her husband, Paul Fackler, on March 27,1943 in New London Hospital. They named her Mary Jo in honor of her mother’s younger sister, Mary and her husband, Joseph Enderby. Soon after her birth, Mary Jo and her parents moved to Willard, Ohio where her father was a conductor on the B&O Railroad, and her mother taught in the nearby town of Shelby, Ohio. Mary Jo attended Willard schools and graduated from Willard High School in 1961. She began her college studies at The Ohio State University in the fall of 1962 which led to a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1966. While there she met Laurence (Larry) Miller who became her husband on August 17, 1968. While he attended law school at Ohio State University, she taught business subjects at high schools in Upper Arlington and Groveport, Ohio.
In October 1971, Suzanne was born, followed by Kathleen in 1974, and Paul in1976. In June 1973 the family moved to Wilmington, Delaware where Larry accepted a job with the DuPont Company. When Paul began kindergarten, Mary Jo began a part-time career with Grace United Methodist Pre-School which included, at various times, teaching children ages 2-5, acting as Treasurer, and as the assistant to the Director. She retired from Grace Church Pre-School in May 2013.
Throughout her life, music was a creative outlet. She participated in Grace Church’s chancel choir for more than 40 years. During this time, she developed lasting friendships with the choir members and enjoyed singing alongside her husband and son. Mary Jo appreciated the arts, especially live theater, and would routinely attend shows with friends and family. Upon the birth of her first grandchild in 2004, Mary Jo became “Mimi” and a consistent presence in the lives of all eight of her grandchildren.
When Larry retired in 2004, he and Mary Jo began to tour sites in Europe-Vienna, Rome, Paris, Lucerne, Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St, Petersburg, Berlin and the Baltic countries. Foreign travel came to an end with a trip to Bermuda, a golden anniversary gift from their children. She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Larry, and their children and grandchildren: Suzanne Miller Moody, her husband Clifton, and their children, Jackson and Waverley; Kathleen Skomorucha and her husband Frank, and their children Leah, Benjamin, and Grace; Paul and his wife Terry and their children Elisabeth, Charlotte, and Juliette.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024 at Grace United Methodist Church, 900 Washington Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 at 10:00 a.m. with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. If you would like to make a gift in honor of Mary Jo, please consider Grace United Methodist Church, 900 N. Washington Street 19801 or Delaware Hospice Inc., 630 Churchman’s Road, Newark, Delaware 19702.
