DeAnn Rae Miller Markham Tallant, age 72, died on May 21, 2016 at her home in Queen Anne, Seattle, WA.
DeAnn used this saying to guide her life: “I shall pass this way but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show my fellow man, let me do it now, let me not defer it nor neglect it, for I shall never pass this way again.”
DeAnn was born on February 10, 1944 in Norfolk, NE, to DeWitt “Red” Clinton Miller and Luella Emaline Glaser Miller. She grew up in Norfolk, NE, attended Christ Lutheran School, Norfolk Senior High, Class of 1962, and graduated Norfolk Junior College, class of 1964, where she won a scholarship for “Outstanding Leadership Ability” from the Norfolk Jaycees. After marrying Creedmore Ralph Markham in 1964, they moved to Seattle, WA, where DeAnn worked at Pacific Northwest Bell as a long-distance telephone operator before going to work at Boeing as a Technical Artist. She and Ralph divorced in 1970. In addition to her job, DeAnn was active in volunteer work, helping to start Puget Sound Big Sisters, being a Big Sister, and being the Volunteer Coordinator for the Boeing Management Association Wives’ Group for the “Red Barn” Museum of Flight. She was also a past member of the Northwest China Painter’s Guild, and a volunteer at the Seattle Aquarium.
DeAnn and Millard “Tal” James Tallant Jr., got engaged three days after their first date, and were married two months later, on April 20, 1974, in Renton, WA. Their daughter, Joy Amanda Tallant, was born September 17, 1978 at their Renton home. DeAnn was active in Joy’s school life, serving as Room Mother and Art Mother, at Seattle Country Day School, and volunteered at University Prep. In 1988 DeAnn was ordained a Minister and performed marriages.
DeAnn was preceded in death by her father, D.C. Miller, her mother, Lue Miller, her older brother, DeWitt “Diz” Clinton Miller, and her beloved husband Tal, whose memorial service was held on their 20th wedding anniversary, April 20, 1994. DeAnn is survived by their daughter, Joy, of San Francisco, CA, her brothers, Morris Lynn Miller, of Mattoon, IL, and Alan Ernest Miller, of Sammamish, WA.
At her request there are to be no services, or flowers.
DeAnn said, “After my death, I would like each one of you to take a moment to remember me and laugh about a happy time that you and I shared. Whenever you think of me smile and be happy. Forget any unhappy times we may have had. Think of someone that you may have offended or hurt you, and call or write them to forgive them, or to seek their forgiveness. If I have offended or hurt you, please forgive me, and if you have offended or hurt me, rest assured that you have my forgiveness. If the person is deceased, or you cannot contact them, just think of them and forgive them in your heart. Plant a flower in my memory, or buy a flower as a treat to yourself.
Tal and I lived our marriage by this saying, and I want to remember this, too: 'Sharing makes everything more fun, pleasure shared is doubled, pain shared is halved, but the most important thing of all is LOVE.'
The highlights of my life were being my beloved Tal’s wife, and most importantly, being my precious daughter, Joy’s, Mom. I leave you with this thought: 'If you have only enough money to buy food or flowers, buy the flowers. The food would have nourished your body, but the beauty of the flowers will nourish your soul and lift your spirits. Your body will benefit from missing an occasional meal, and your soul will have the beauty it needs to thrive. Remember always that I love you.'“