Janice W. Miller

Janice W. (Walker) Miller, 85, of Westport Point, MA, died Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010. Janice was born in Jacksonville, FL and grew up with her parents and grandparents in Athens, TN. She attended St Mary's High School in Sewanee, TN graduating in 1943. She went to Wesleyan College in Macon, GA, graduating in 1947 with a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts... In 1966 she graduated from Boston University with a Master of Fine Arts degree. She was firmly dedicated to art in many forms. Janice has worked in multiple mediums in the field of painting and sculptor. She taught art in Lowville Public School in 1947, Brookline Public Schools 1964-65, and was an Assistant professor in the Fine Arts Department at Bridgewater College. She served on several Boards in support of the arts: Boston University Visual Arts Alumni Board, New England Regional Committee of the Archives of American Art, New England Sculptors Association, ASID Industrial Foundation, a neighborhood advisory member of the Brookline Art Center, and a member of the Boston Art Now group, featured at the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art. In 1999, Janice was honored by Boston University with the award for distinguished service to the School of the Arts. She was an honorary life member of the Westport Art Group. In 1972 she purchased Art For Industry, a small art-leasing business, which she operated for a 25 year period. During that time she dramatically expanded the business, servicing clients with fine arts in MA, NY, TX and GA. She pioneered the use of fine art in the work place in numerous industries and places of business. She amassed a sizeable collection of unique works dominated by New England contemporary artists. This collection of some 800 was donated to Boston University. She started an Interior Design business in 1964 and operated it until 1995 when she retired. Her noteworthy achievement was the interior design of the Parkman House, a house owned by the City of Boston and used for many and various functions. She had numerous clients in New England as well as such diverse places as CA, SD, NY and other states. Janice was the faithful wife of John Miller for 61 years; they have 2 children, Rebbeca Miller, Highland Beach, FL and Patricia Keppler, Budd Lake, NJ. They have 3 grand children, Elizabeth Porter, Tola Porter and Marion Porter. There are 3 great grand children; Elana, James and Ava. She leaves 2 sisters, Laura Stamp and Elizabeth Willson. Her brother, Paul Walker, is deceased. Internment services were private. Janice's life will be remembered at a later date. Donations in her memory in lieu of flowers may be made to the Church of Our Savior, 25 Monmouth St, Brookline, MA 02446 or the Westport Art Group, Inc., 1740 Main Rd, Westport, MA 02790. Online guestbook at AuclairFuneralHome.com.