WWII vet marks 100th
Esther “Marie” Miller, a World War II veteran and Butler native, celebrated her 100th birthday at a party surrounded by friends and family Saturday afternoon.
Marie, who served in the Women's Army Corps for more than three years during WWII, turned 100 years old Thanksgiving Day. She lived her entire life on Virginia Avenue in Butler until recently.
American Legion Post 117, 413 S. Main St., provided a plethora of pink balloons and, Marie's favorite, draft beer for the occasion. The hall was packed with friends, relatives and neighbors who came to celebrate.
Cathy Miller, Marie's daughter-in-law, thanked everyone who attended for helping them celebrate Marie, and the American Legion especially for making the party possible.
“The American Legion catered and offered an open bar in her honor, gratis,” Cathy Miller said. “She's been a lifelong member here.”
Displayed throughout the hall were photos depicting Marie's accomplishments, including one of her sitting on a cannon during her service in the Army Corps. Various awards and medals sat next to her prize-winning hand-stitched quilts and doilies.
Also displayed was a family tree showing Marie to be the matriarch of 88 grand-, great-grand- and great-great-grandchildren.
Marie wore a sash boasting “100 and Fabulous,” laughing uproariously with every well-wisher who stopped by her table and clinking her glass with theirs.
“I sure am (having fun,)” Marie said. “I'm not gonna change. I'm only one person. I think it, I say it, and I'm still the boss!”
Ann Twentier, nurse manager of adult day care at the Butler VA Health Care System, said she and her fellow nurses have known Marie for 14 years. They described her as fun, spunky and vivacious, and said they have missed her since the day care program closed due to COVID.
“She's the life of the party, she was the social center at the day care,” Twentier said. “She's our favorite veteran, she called us her girls.”
“She called us all her kids and her family,” said Amy Woodward, a VA nurse.
Rich Graham, who grew up with Marie as a neighbor on Virginia Avenue, said her house was the go-to house for children.
“She's humorous, always laughing and joking,” Graham said. “She was like the cartoon lady who'd put a pie on the window sill and someone would take it. She always had baked goods for us kids.”
Halfway through the event, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, stopped by to wish Marie a happy birthday. He previously had given her a certificate to mark her 100th birthday. Randy Miller, Marie's son, said the two met during a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C.
Miller remarked that the best part of the celebration was having Marie see relatives. According to him and Cathy, some members of the family have not seen Marie for close to 30 years, and some traveled from as far as Florida and Kentucky to attend the party.
“We're so appreciative and so happy we could all celebrate while she's here and in such good health,” Cathy said. “I'm glad Marie is having a good time.”
