Obituary of Jean A. (FitzPatrick) Miller

Jean A. Miller, 84, of Voorheesville, New York, deeply beloved wife of Peter E. Burde, died peacefully at home on Thursday, April 12, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Albany in 1933, Jean was the daughter of the late Eugene and Irene Pettit FitzPatrick and was a graduate of Albany’s Vincentian Institute.

Jean retired in 1997 from LTI Medica in New Scotland, where she had worked with her husband in their own business.  She was a linchpin of that business and a key element in its unlikely success.

Jean was an ardent animal and wildlife lover and was particularly fond of birds of every description.  She loved traveling, reading, and spending summers with her husband canoeing and camping in the high peaks region of the Adirondacks.  She was a fine cook and greatly enjoyed socializing at home with friends and family. Her wit was quick, and her sharp comments often brought tears of laughter from her conversational partners.   She was an active supporter of Doctors Without Borders, the International Rescue Committee, the National Audubon Society, and numerous other charitable organizations.

Though the precious trait was muted in Jean’s later years, she was game in her vital years for any activity her husband wished to pursue, often at risk of life, limb, and sanity. He considered her, then and in her old age, the love of his life at its apogee.

Jean adored her and her husband’s pet cats, most recently their three Main Coons Sinjun, Tessa, and Maeve.  The animals’ love of Jean and hers of them was manifest in every lap-nestle they made and every belly-rub they received.

Jean was the beloved and devoted mother of Tracie Cassidy (P. John) and Johanna Miller (Linda Reekie), stepmother of John Burde (Carol), Matthew Burde (Yoko), and Benjamin Burde (Mika), sister of the late Janice Stewart (late Ronald), and cherished "Mimi" to Philip J. Cassidy III (Jennifer), Ryan Cassidy, Kaia Miller, Justin, Sarah, Alexander, Luna, Andrew, Jacob, and Daniel Burde. She is also survived by a niece, Pamela Krenzer, and nephews Douglas Stewart and Mark Stewart.

A celebration of Jean’s life will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2018, from 1 to 4 p.m. at her and Peter's home in New Scotland.   

Jean’s family wishes to express their most sincere gratitude to her special caregivers Kathi Egnasher, Blessing Oki, Rosemary Oki, and Magda Husien for their loving and compassionate care over the last 16 months.

Loving mention must also be made of wonderful Stacie Eignor, who over the year-long course of Jean’s final illness made weekly home visits to wash her hair and provide good-natured commentary on the daily ephemera of the world Jean loved but could no longer be an active part of.    

Those wishing to remember Jean in a special way are asked to make a memorial contribution to The National Audubon Society in memory of Jean A. Miller.

Private funeral services were held for Jean’s family and were entrusted to the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc., 565 Fourth Avenue, Troy, New York 12182.

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