Germaine M. Miller
Adirondack Daily Enterprise,
February 11, 2022
Born: January 9, 1929
Died: December 30, 2016
Married: William (Bill) Miller
Children: George Miller and Amy Miller Mandernach
Born in Saranac Lake, Germaine Martin Miller was a daughter of Leonard and Amy (Roy) Martin. She was an avid "antiquer," and ran a proprietary care home in her house on the Bloomingdale Road from 1975 to 2001. She had been a member of the Reviewers Club.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, February 11, 2022
Germaine M. Miller
Germaine M. Miller passed away peacefully in her bed Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, at the age of 87 in Saranac Lake.
Born in Saranac Lake on Jan. 9, 1929, she was the daughter of Leonard and Amy (Roy) Martin. Germaine fell in love with and then married William (Bill) Miller on July 14, 1948, at St. Bernard’s Church. He predeceased her on Dec. 12, 1990.
Germaine and Bill moved throughout the North Country from 1949 to 1975 while Bill served as a New York state trooper with Troop B. During these years they raised two children, George and Amy. Germaine served as the director of volunteers for Alice Hyde Hospital and was instrumental in the founding and building of the first SPCA shelter in Malone. She worked at Empsall’s Department Store as a bookkeeper for several years until she became the owner/proprietor of Germaine’s Gift Shop.
Germaine and Bill returned to Saranac Lake in 1975 and soon established a proprietary care home with their son George and daughter-in-law Jeanette. Germaine cared for people in her home until 2001, when she had to have a hip replacement. That slowed her down a bit, but not for long.
Together with Rogene LeMay and Adele Finnegan, her two forever friends and antique buddies, Germaine enjoyed scouring the Northeast for antique treasures. She had a great eye and great appreciation for beauty.
A “Grande Dame” till the end, Germaine was a sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, business owner, caregiver, antique dealer and friend to all she met. She was caring, giving and thoughtful, and was always up for a grand time. Germaine’s smile would light up a room, and her passion for experiencing all life had to offer was inspiring.
She is survived by one son, George (Jeanette) Miller of Saranac Lake; one daughter, Amy (Keith) Mandernach of Wilmington; one sister, Joyce (Jon) Petri of Napa Valley, California; one sister-in-law, Ruth Misulis of Greenville, North Carolina; six grandchildren: Joel Miller (Michaela, fiancee), Malynda Boyle, Erik (Amy) Boyle, Laura Miller (Jeff, fiancee), Patrick (Alexis) Cantwell and Elisa (Trae) Jones; four great-grandchildren: Leni Boyle, Sophia Cantwell, Ryler Boyle and Reece Boyle; and many nieces and nephews. All were loved and very important to her. Four brothers — Gilbert, Robert, Newell and Joseph Martin — preceded her in death.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A celebration of life and graveside service will take place in the early summer at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Saranac Lake. A Mass at St. Bernard’s Church will be offered for her in the coming days, to be announced.
Friends wishing to remember Germaine may make memorial contributions to Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad or SPCA in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.
