Obituary of Eleanor Irene (Aleski) Miller

Eleanor I. “Ellie” Miller February 21, 1931 - May 18, 2024 Eleanor Irene Miller, Age 93 of Mt. Lebanon, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2024. Born in Heidelberg, PA on February 21, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Anna and Felix Aleski and wife of the late Gilbert P. Miller. She is survived by her devoted children, Marcia (Greg) Telthorster of Doylestown, PA, Tom (Suzie) Miller of Meadville, PA, Mike (Nora) Miller of Sarasota, FL, Jim (Mary Frances) Miller of Munhall, PA, Joe (Peg) Miller of Swanton, MD, Sue (Jack) O’Malley of Upper St. Clair, PA, and Sandi Miller of Swisshelm Park, PA. She was the doting “Granellie” of 22 grandchildren; Jessica, Becca, Ryan, Kelly, Dan, Mike, Lexi, Megan, Allie, Matt, Adam, Tim, Justin, Julie, Leslie, Emily, Paul, Katie, Max, Grace, Colin and Hope, and 12 great-grandchildren; Ellie, Johnny, Rory, Troy, Julia, Margaret, Catherine, Hannah, Claire, Fiona, Rian, and Zoey; and sister Helen Buzzatto plus many nieces and nephews. Ellie is preceded in death by her sisters Jean, Clara, and Margie, and brothers Edward, Walter, Robert, and Butch. Ellie grew up in Heidelberg, PA and went to Lincoln High School in Bridgeville. She met the (eventual) love of her life, Gilbert Miller, at a joint Lincoln/Scott high school dance. After high school Ellie continued her schooling at Montefiore Hospital School of Nursing where she received her nursing degree. After some perseverance, Gilbert won her heart and the two were married in 1952 and remained married until his death in 1986. They started their life together on the North Side of Pittsburgh and then moved to Mt. Lebanon where they raised their seven children. Ellie worked tirelessly as a nurse while raising her family and she retired from The Guild for the Blind after 52 years of caring for patients. Ellie was a loving and dedicated mother and grandmother whose family was her greatest joy. She was most proud of her children; she saw them as “all good” – even ‘the one’ who wasn’t. Spending time with family on vacations near any body of water was her heart’s delight. She was well known for her picnic lunches, diet Faygo bottle and teaching everyone to dive with their toes pointed like Esther Williams. Ellie loved to be active – she was always teaching the family some type of lesson at home; golf lessons, disco lessons, yoga lessons, cooking lessons, sewing lessons – and most importantly, life lessons. She was also a fantastic self-taught cook who made elaborate birthday cakes, homemade breads, and wine. She had a knack for pulling some things out of the freezer and within an hour, having a meal ready to feed 20 people. Ellie was especially proud of her Polish heritage, and she taught her family how to make pierogies (is the dough squeaking?), chruscikis, and galumpki to continue her Polish traditions. In her retirement she was able to spend more time taking part in her favorite hobby, golf. She was a regular at Mt. Lebanon Golf Course for many years and a very skilled player, with many trophies to her name. In 1991 she was club champion of the Mt. Lebanon Ryder Cup Senior Women’s Tournament! Ellie was deeply devoted to her Catholic faith and was a longtime parishioner of St. Bernard Church. Always a faithful and devoted follower of God, she continued helping people well into her retirement. She was even making sleeping mats for the homeless out of plastic bags in her 90’s. Ellie had a great strength of character, a happiness and joy that radiated from her, and a remarkable sense of humor until the end of her life. She is forever etched in many treasured friends’ hearts. Above all, she had a deep and endless love for her family – always. Ja cię, Kocham Ellie. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Warchol Funeral Home (3060 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA). The church service will be held at Holy Child Church (212 Station Street, Bridgeville, PA) on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery (2900 Washington Road, Canonsburg, PA). The family would like to express special thanks to the staff at Celebrations Villa Lakemont Farms, as well as the nursing staff at Advanced Hospice, for their attentive care and concern for Ellie during the last years of her life. The family would also like to thank the countless caregivers at Country Meadows where she lived for many years prior. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the ALS Foundation Mid-Atlantic or to the American Cancer Society.