Obituary of Lorraine Miller
Lorraine Miller
August 28, 1951 – April 2, 2025
Lorraine Miller, 73, of North Plainfield, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2025, at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, with her beloved family by her side.
Born in Newark on August 28, 1951, Lorraine grew up in the Vailsburg section of the city, where she began a life filled with love, family, and a strong work ethic. After marrying George Miller III, the couple moved to North Plainfield, where they built a home, raised their family, and became part of the fabric of the community for more than 53 years.
Lorraine became a mother at a young age, and life surprised her right from the start—she and her husband had been expecting a baby, but were blessed with twin sons, William “Billy” and George IV “Buddy”, a surprise that brought joy and a healthy dose of chaos to the young couple’s life. Seven years later, their daughter Maryanne arrived, completing the family that would become Lorraine’s greatest joy and life’s work.
Professionally, Lorraine had a successful and respected career in technology sales, working for major companies including AT&T, Lucent Technologies, and most recently Hewlett-Packard. Known for her natural charisma, intelligence, and unwavering dedication, she was repeatedly recognized as Salesperson of the Year, earning her awards that ranged from Tiffany bowls to trips to LA, Catalina, and Caribbean islands—trips she treasured and recalled fondly.
While Lorraine took great pride in her professional accomplishments, her true passion was her family. She was the heart of every gathering, especially around the holidays. Her legendary annual Christmas parties were joyful, spirited affairs that she catered, always making everyone feel welcome and at home, with a visit from Santa. She approached every holiday with enthusiasm and creativity, hand-making costumes for her children that routinely won contests and hearts. No birthday cake request was ever too extravagant!
Lorraine’s love knew no bounds—her home was always open, and she found joy in preparing meals, playing cards, and simply being surrounded by the people she loved. Her door was never closed to family or friends, and her kitchen was always warm and filled with something delicious. Her deep-rooted love of family extended through generations and into every detail of her life.
She also enjoyed trips to the casino, sharing laughs and card games with her loved ones, and remained a loyal and fun-loving presence in the lives of her family and friends.
Lorraine was predeceased by her cherished son, William “Billy” Miller, who passed away in December 2024; her dear grandmother Josephine Stefan; her loving parents, Salvatore and Mary Manganello; and her nieces Terry-Ann and Melissa.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, George Miller III; her son, George “Buddy” (Joanna); and her daughter, Maryanne Schwartz. She is also survived by her five beloved grandchildren: Julianna Miller, Nicole Miller, Raegan Miller, Jade Miller, and Jonathan Schwartz; her sister, Eve Craven (Stephen) and nephew Stephen; her brother, Salvatore Manganello; her uncle John Stefan; her brother-in-law Daniel Miller (Phyllis)and niece Christine and nephew Daniel; sister-in-law Eileen Pittaro (Tony) and niece Sandra; and many extended family members and treasured friends who will miss her dearly.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 6, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 7, at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Stony Hill Roman Catholic Church in Watchung. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.
Lorraine’s legacy is one of unconditional love, vibrant gatherings, and a deep commitment to the people she held dear. She will be remembered for her warmth, her strength, and the way she made every celebration brighter and every home more welcoming.
