M. O.P. SR

Sister M. Agatha Miller O.P. Sister M. Agatha Miller OP died at the age of 97 on Monday July 12 2004 at Regina Health Center in Richfield. Sister Agatha the former Mary Barbara Miller was born on April 15 1907 of German parents Fred and Margaret (Lang) Miller in Leichtling Saratov Russia. In 1913 her family moved to the United States. She received her naturalization papers in 1925 and entered the Sisters of St. Dominic from St. Paul Parish Akron in 1927. Sister Agatha was the last of the original group of Sisters who began a new religious congregation in Akron separating from the Dominican Sisters in Caldwell NJ in 1929. On May 2 2004 Sister Agatha celebrated her 75th year of religious profession as an Akron Dominican sister. Sister Agatha has taught at Immaculate Conception School Ravenna and also served as principal 1945-49 and taught there again 1962-64; at St. Dominic Youngstown from 1929-39 and 1950-62; St. Vincent from 1939-45 and 1970-71 St. Paul 1967-70 and Our Lady of the Elms 1949-50 in Akron. For seven years Sister Agatha served as assistant director of environmental services at St. Thomas Hospital Akron. She has served as maintenance coordinator for her Congregation and has served as hall rental coordinator for Our Lady of the Elms High School Commons. For six summers Sister Agatha served as director at Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) old Camp Christopher and ten years as camp nurse at Camp Santa Maria in Akron. Sister Agatha has been a tutor with Project: LEARN of Summit County; has served on the Board of Trustees of the Summit County Adult Literacy Council; and was a member of the Summit County Historical Society. She received the Womens History Week Woman of the Year Award for her congregation in 1987 and the Altrusa Club Achievement Award in 1988. In her younger days Sister loved to travel crochet and play cards but she has never been too old in using her wit in telling jokes. Sister retired in 1995 and because of health problems was moved to Regina Health Center on October 29 2002. Sister is survived by sisters Elizabeth Vorhies of Canton; Catherine Wahl of Cuyahoga Falls; and Sister Rose Miller of Our Lady of the Elms; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents brothers John Joseph and Paul and sister Anna Sorg. Calling hours are at Our Lady of the Elms Convent 1230 W. Market St. Akron Ohio on Wednesday July 14 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. with a Wake Service at 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial is on Thursday July 15 at 9:30 a.m. in the Convent Chapel. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Our Lady of the Elms-Sisters of St. Dominic Foundation.