Gertrude "Trudy" (Knaus) Miller

Gertrude (Knaus) Miller, 93, of Salem, widow of the late William C. Miller, Sr., passed away peacefully at home Monday (Nov. 13, 2017).  Born Jan. 6, 1924 in Newington, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Eveline (Allen) Knaus.  Mrs. Miller had worked as an assembler from Pratt & Whitney for many years before her retirement.  A longtime resident of Salem, she joined the Gardner Lake Vol. Fire Co. Auxiliary in 1975 and became an EMT in 1976.  In 1982, Trudy was able to become a full member of the Company and was later recognized as a Life Member in 2002.  She was recognized for her contributions to the town be the State of Connecticut in 1989 as “Salem’s Unsung Hero”.  Mrs. Miller had also been an active member of the Congregational Church of Salem.  She leaves three sons, William, Jr. of Norwich, Dennis, Sr. (and wife, Christine) of Scotland and Douglas (and wife, Mary Jean) of Salem; her daughter-in-law, Diane Miller of Salem; eight grandchildren, Heidi, Allyn, Van, Heidi, Tonya, Dennis, Jr., Peter and Joshua; eleven great grandchildren; one great great grandson; a sister-in-law, Janice Knaus of Newington; and numerous extended family and friends.  In addition to her loving husband of 50 years; she was predeceased by a son, Allyn; a grandson, William, III and five siblings, William, George, Robert, Doris Geiger and Shirley Tatro.  

The family will receive guests 4 – 7 PM Friday (Nov. 17th) at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester.  The Funeral Service will be observed 10:30 AM Saturday (Nov. 18th) directly at the Congregational Church of Salem (located at 244 Hartford Road -Rte. 85).  Burial will follow in the Salem Green Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Congregational Church of Salem, 244 Hartford Rd., Salem 06420 or to the  Gardner Lake Vol. Fire Co., 429 Old Colchester Rd., Salem 06420 (www.gardnerlakevolfireco.org).