Obituary

Rosemary Hook Miller died of the effects of an acute stroke on 30 December 2013, in Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, Laguna Hills, CA. She had left her home near Tuxedo to spend the Christmas holidays with a stepson, Thom Miller and his wife, Ann, in southern California. Sunny and active days preceding her death, spent in what was, for her, an atypical spot with loving family were all reflections of a life well lived.

Rosemary – Baba to her family – was born on 30 September 1929 in Somerset East, Cape Province, South Africa, the daughter of Cdr. Hereward Hook, DSO, Royal Navy, and Kathleen Hook, nee Judd. She was brought up in England outside London, where she worked as a secretary until 1957, when she moved to New York City. She was married in Manhattan on 8 March 1965 to Robert G. Miller and left the office to become a housewife.

She and husband Bob lived in London for seven years, in 1973 moving to Henderson County, to “apple country” near Fruitland. There she enjoyed her dogs, long walks and horseback rides through orchards and woodlands. Widowed in 2000, Rosemary moved to her new home in 2004, where she continued her walks with beloved dogs Victor, Barnaby and Dusty. She enjoyed time with her many friends in the Hendersonville/Flat Rock area as well as occasional excursions to various parts of the USA and abroad. At home she was a member of the Hendersonville Country Club and a volunteer for the Council on Aging (Meals on Wheels) and the Community Foundation of Henderson County.

Rosemary is survived by nephew Stephen Bradshaw, his wife Nicqui and their two boys, Tom and Sam, all of the UK; stepsons Bruce Miller of Raleigh and Thom Miller; four step grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren. Sister Susan Bradshaw, three brothers, Peter, Michael and John Constable, and stepdaughter Kathryn predeceased her in addition to her beloved Bob. All who knew Rosemary will miss her warm hospitality, robust walks, support for local community service groups, interest in the arts and global issues and good, common sense – “always upbeat, easily amused,” recalls a friend, “proper to a tee, but tough when we needed things done.” We miss you, Rosemary. We miss you, Baba…

A graveside service is scheduled for Friday, 24 January, 1:00 pm, St. James Episcopal Church, Hendersonville; attendees are invited to gather in the Church prior to the outdoor service. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to any area social service or animal protection agency.