Constance Ann (Whittaker) Miller died on Tuesday January 8, 2019. The youngest of three, Connie was raised in Marion, Massachusetts. She was one of the first girls ever to attend Tabor Academy in Marion. From a young age, Connie was a gifted musician and during high school was selected to attend the prestigious Tanglewood Music Summer Institute youth training program under the direction of Leonard Bernstein. Connie went on to attend Radcliffe College and the Boston Conservatory of Music. She then spent her entire professional career, which spanned more than 40 years, as a cellist for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. In her later career she also served as Artistic Administrator of the Philharmonic, selecting all of the guest performers.
Connie was deeply engaged in her community, serving for several years as the first female President of the Harvard Club of Western New York and actively competing in sculling at the West Side Rowing Club (including winning a medal at the Empire State Games). Upon her retirement in 1998, Connie returned to her hometown of Marion and enjoyed an active life, which included biking, walks on the beach, and undertaking copious amounts of yard maintenance and gardening on her own.
She loved lobster rolls, fresh fish, peppermint stick ice cream, and watching the birds outside of her sunny kitchen window. Inspired by the beauty of New England nature and childhood memories, she took up watercolor painting at the age of 75. Connie was also a lifelong advocate for animals and leaves behind her deeply loved cat, Emily.
Connie was preceded in death by her mother Constance Whittaker, her sister Elizabeth Bunnell, and her brother Edwin Whittaker. She will be lovingly remembered by her son David, her daughter Katherine, her daughter in-law Sarah, and her grandchildren Allison, Isabela, Sabine, Roman, and Henley.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 16th at 10:30am in the Chapel at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 124 Front Street Marion, MA 02738. A reception will follow at Harriet’s Carriage House, 7 Cottage Street, Marion, MA. Charitable contributions may be made in Connie’s memory to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra www.bpo.org or the ASPCA www.aspca.org.
Dearest Connie, Beloved friend and fellow musician, I miss you more than you can know. The music we made together, the deepening friendship that brought me to your home in Marion for years after you put down your cello. The fun we had visiting antique shops on the Cape when only the locals were there, and the endless beautiful meals we shared, with the dash of honesty that we brought to any table.
I see you working away at your watercolors in Andy’s studio. Sometimes the light was such, that had I taken a photo it could have been a Rembrandt. Always beautiful you were, Connie.
I’ll never forget eating ice cream cones at Ned’s Point while we watched the sunset.
Until we meet again at the next sunrise for both of us. Love Margaret
Dearest Connie
I will always remember you as one of the finest person I have ever met.
Your integrity, honesty and sense of duty defined your character and your entire life.
Your contribution to the Philharmonic and to my responsibilities as a Music Director were extraordinary and inspiring.
Thank you for every thing we received from you, I will be missing you.