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Joan C. Miller
From SMDPA Susquehanna Colony Governor Michael Saunders (5/20/2025),
All, it is with great sadness that I report the death of SMDPA Mayflower stalwart Joan C. Miller. Her daughter said that Joan passed into her eternal reward at 10:45PM on Sunday May 18, 2025.
Beyond her gubernatorial role, Joan remained actively involved in the Society's initiatives. She contributed to various committees, including those focused on education, bylaws, and community relations, as evidenced by her continued participation until health forced her to step back from an active role in the Society.
Her legacy within the SMDPA and her contributions to genealogical scholarship reflect a life devoted to honoring and perpetuating the values and history of the Mayflower descendants.
Joan (Jo-an), Carol (Reed, Georgantis) Miller, 93, died Sunday, May 18, 2025, at her home, East York, PA. surrounded by all of her children. She was the wife of the late Donald L. Miller for over 40 years and the late John Georgantis for over 20 years. A native of Woonsocket R.I., Joan was born on June 19, 1931, she is the second child of the late Cedric Earl Reed and Donna Sybil (Bailey) Reed. Joan would talk about The Great Hurricane and Tidel Wave of 1938. She would retell the story of her father's (Supervisor with Blackstone Valley Electric) crew "the line men" coming to pick them up and take her family to safety. She recalls one of the line men clinching her baby bother Dale and her being instructed to hug the wall as they walked briskly to the linemen's truck. Unfortunately, the hurricane washed out to sea many of the families Cottages at Oakland Beach RI.
Joan remembers listening to the radio for entertainment and her father calling Grandpa Bailey on December 7, when he heard the Japanese just bombed Pearl Harbor. She also recalls learning about the Bible and playing the piano from her Grandmother Nellie Eliza (West ) Reed, who use the dance with the Blackfoot Indians on the reservations in Colorado.
She is presided in death by three of her siblings: Robert M. Reed, John (Jack) S. Reed, and Dale B. Reed. Joan and her late husbands and children remember visiting the "The Ranch" built by her farther in 1945, off of the Old Victory Highway (that is still standing today). She and her brothers played commando, in the pine forest, and log cabin, and skated on the pond in the wintertime.
Surviving are her children William Georgantis (wife Lyn), Denise Georgantis Price (husband Robert) and Debra Georgantis-Miller and her brother Steven H. Reed.
In 1951, Joan left R.I. for a job with the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, U.S. Navy Dept. and volunteered as a Hospital Candy Striper in Washington D.C. where she met and marries John Georgantis in 1955. They move to Silver Spring MD and have 3 children. While Joan is taking care of 3 babies in diapers, John is making a name for himself throughout Washington D.C. as a Metro Detective, and guard for the Presidents of the U.S. and Special Dignitaries. Joan embraces her ever energetic spirit by teaching Sunday School, Supervising VBS, joining the Parent Child Study Program under direction of the Board of Education and University of MD, meets Catharyn Elwood and agrees to edit and type her book "Feel Like A Million". By the early 1970s the family moves to a 30-acre farm in Myersville (Frederick Cty) MD, raising a variety of animals. After moving to Middletown (Frederick Cty) MD with her husband John and Children, Joan continues to make friends and influence others by volunteering for the Frederick Town Players, Head Start, assisting with mental health programs such as "Hot Line", and working for Frederick Community College (FCC) directing and developing programs for seniors called, The Golden Age, organizing trips, luncheons, seminars to name a few. Joan enjoyed cooking, entertaining, poetry, and writing (musing) throughout her life. Her daughters found her writings everywhere thought the house, her pockets, and purses.
In 1976, her husband John unexpectantly passes, leaving her and her 3 children devastated. By the 1980's, Joan meets Donald L. Miller. Her time with her Nieces, Nephews, Grandchildren and Great Grandchidren were filled with laughter, cherished moments of storytelling, arts and crafts, playful activities, trips, and a deep sense of love and devotion.
While Joan travels the eastern and southern parts of the US with Don during his time on the road as a Regional Manager with Hechinger's, she begins her family history search for answers. She joins the Mayflower Society of PA (SMDPA) and quickly becomes the go to person for all things about genealogy and the mayflower. Her library takes over the entire space in one of her bedrooms. She is deep into her Pilgrims Roots, moving up the ranks in the National (GSMD) and Commonwealth of PA (SMDPA) societies on committees, boards and officer positions. She was a former Governor of SMDPA and a Founder and Gov. of PHSK and former Deputy Governor General and Assistant Governor for GSMD attending the board mtgs and Mayflower General Society Triennials in Plymouth Mass for close to 4 decades. Her research took her and her family several times to England, the Netherlands, Canada, and across the United States.
Sadly, in July 2019, Joan loses her husband Don to cancer. Joan spends her time raising her 2 Ragdoll cats and becomes a frequent patron to many of the local restaurants. She enjoys playing Parcheesi, Scrabble and Rummy with her 3 children.
We would be remise if we did not mention her love for music and singing. She played the Piano, Autoharp, and Ukulele. You could always here Joan singing melodies from her childhood as well as singing the songs to her children throughout their lives.
Joan loved her life, was a true believer in God, actively living her life according to the teachings and instructions found in the Bible, and lived life to its fullest.
The family wishes to thank all the doctors, other medical professionals, hospice community care, Riverstone church members, family and friends who loved and served her and provided care for Joan during her last year of life.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Riverstone York PA, (PO Box 21665, York PA 17402), in memory of Joan C Miller, who dedicated her life to God and following the words of the Bible.
Beck Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc., of East York is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be shared at www.beckfunerals.com
