Eleanor Ann (Doraski) Miller

Eleanor Ann Miller, 86, of Numidia passed away peacefully at Emmanuel Nursing and Rehabilitation in the presence of her loving daughters, Susan and Linda, on Feb. 4, 2022. The daughter of Anthony and Anna (Chupailo) Doraski, Eleanor was born March 18, 1935, on the family’s farm in Catawissa.

Eleanor attended McIntyre School.

She met her late husband, George E. Miller of Numidia, at Springbrook Park skating rink. They married in 1957.

Eleanor’s first job as a seamstress was with a shirt factory, Emenee Manufacturing. She left there to join Milco Industries, where she quickly became front and center as the Union President of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers’ Union and landed on the front page of the Press Enterprise, leading the way of a union workers’ strike. A 44-year career said everything about Eleanor and her value system of hard work. It was her sacrifice to ensure that she and George sent their daughters to private colleges and graduate schools with no college loans.

Eleanor’s “chutzpah” was not only at work. It was how she lived her life. She was known far and wide “in the valley” for her cooking, canning and baking. Her home became a stop-by for many, with coffee and goodies always part of the visit. Food was her manifestation of love for all who visited, and she even took to making vegetarian recipes for her daughters.

Eleanor and George were quite the team in growing their “truck patch.” From the well-kept garden, she did canning and freezing on a grand scale — salsa, pickles, tomato sauce, peaches, jellies, and more. The process started at the peak of the season and ended with the first frost.

Eleanor had such a competitive spirit and it showed in her love of sports. The Marks family — John, Jerry, Josh and Blake — gave her the thrill of local sports from football, to baseball, to wrestling. She attended games, watched them on TV, and listened on the radio. And the Phillies and the Eagles were her pro teams. She knew the players, the rules and the moves. And you could not speak to her during a game as she was completely engaged.

Eleanor was a woman who loved and honored traditions. For each of the holidays, there was a special marker, whether it be her mountains of homemade Christmas cookies or the blessing of the Easter basket at church. Every holiday had its tradition.

Eleanor continued her outings with her daughters and her sister, Cookie, and husband John. While she deeply missed the “apple of her eye”, George, it did not keep her at home.

Eleanor is survived by her daughters, Susan M. Miller (Michael Steven Ruckert), of Woodbine, Maryland, and Linda K. Miller (Cathy Cieslinski) of Mount Joy. Eleanor is survived by her sisters, Cecilia “Cookie” Marks, Pat Abraczinskas and Lucy DeFelice.

Eleanor was predeceased by her sisters, Teresa Welkom, Irene Lukus, Josephine Pollock and Pearl Makowski.

A viewing will be Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Allen R. Horne Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 193 McIntyre Road, Catawissa. The rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, at 10:30 at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 304 Slabtown Road, Catawissa, with Father Dennis G. Dalessandro officiating. Burial will follow at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Numidia. Friends unable to attend may send condolences to allenrhornefuneralhome.com

Contributions in memory of Eleanor may be made to The Emmanuel Center, 11 Schoolhouse Road, Danville, PA 17821. Please direct to the attention of the Activities Department or the Nursing Department; or to Our Lady of Mercy Church, 304 Slabtown Road, Catawissa, PA 17820.

Susan and Linda would especially like to acknowledge the gracious and amazing care of the staff at The Emmanuel Center during Mom’s stay. It truly became her home.

The Allen R. Horne Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Catawissa, is handling arrangements.

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