Ann Hart Miller

Ann Hart Miller, 79, died October 3, 2015, at Rosewood Nursing Center, which became her home in 2007. She suffered from dementia and was comfortable and contented at the time she passed on. Her family thanks the staff for their enduring generosity and exceptional care. Born Ann Hopkins Hart in Lafayette, Louisiana, Mrs. Miller lived her life in Lake Charles. She was a 1954 graduate of Lake Charles High School. She graduated from Endicott Junior College in Beverly, Mass. in 1956, as well as McNeese State College in 1966. She taught second grade in one room, Room 14, at Barbe Elementary School until her retirement. She was endlessly entertained by her students and loved them all. Mrs. Miller dedicated a lifetime of effort on behalf of citizens with autism in response to her son David's needs. She was on the board of Southwest Louisiana Health Counseling Services and served as board president and treasurer. She was active on the board of the Louisiana State Autism Chapter (LSAC) for sixteen years, serving as treasurer three terms. She received the LSAC Lifetime Achievement Award. She was an active member of the Southwest Louisiana Chapter of the Autism Society of America, serving two terms as president, two as vice-president and two as treasurer. She was a founding board member and Board Member Emeritus of Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana (ASSL) and Direct Care, Inc. Mrs. Miller was also active in other ways in the community, which was her Hart family tradition. She was a member of Banners, Lake Charles Little Theater, Lake Charles Symphony, McNeese Foundation, Pioneer Club, Art Associates and Rockport, Massachusetts Art Associates. She loved Rockport, Mass. and New England, made many friends, and participated as much as she could in the community there. She established an annual scholarship for communications students at Endicott College. To every group, situation and endeavor, she brought a keen wit, a gracious spirit and a loving generosity. She was one of the wittiest people many people had ever known and her laughter lightened many meetings, parties and gatherings. Mrs. Miller and four close friends began an effort in 2003 to establish group homes for adults with autism, as well as training for staff who work with adults with autism. This collaboration became Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana (ASSL) and Direct Care, Inc. In June, 2015, the fourth house, the Ann Hart Miller House was dedicated at 201 Richard St. in Lake Charles. Mrs. Miller's smiling portrait in the foyer shines her special qualities and love on all who enter. Mrs. Miller is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law: David Brandon Miller of Lake Charles, and Paul Hart Miller and his wife Susan of Monument Beach, Massachusetts. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Polly Hart of Houston, and a large extended family of Hart relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, I. T. Hart and Anna Lee Hopkins Hart, her brother, Thomas Frederick Hart, and her aunt, Rosa Hart. Mrs. Miller requested cremation and that her family hold visitation only. Therefore, visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles on Saturday, October 10, 2015, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. At her request, her ashes will be scattered in the ocean at Rockport, Mass. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net or to Paul Hart Miller at P.O. Box 978, Monument Beach, MA 02553. Contributions in her memory may be made to the charity of your choice or to Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana, 3006 Common Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601.