Helen Oser Miller

Helen Oser Miller-A Beautiful American Story-Helen Oser Miller, born in 1923 to a Swiss immigrant father and first generation Irish American mother, grew up in a cold water flat in a Boston coal yard. Helen learned the joys of singing and acting in Boston Catholic schools in the 1920s, modeled "leg makeup" at Jordan Marsh and would be offered an acting contract in the heyday of big studios in Hollywood. Choosing a private life over that of fame, the strikingly beautiful Helen married David Miller, a Boston Assistant City Attorney who became a Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General, Federal Trade Commission lawyer and premier community developer in eight states during the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Helen passed away at the age of 93 in Little Compton, RI. Helen's maternal grandparents, John and Sarah Burke, came from Abbeyknockmoy, Tuam, Ireland where the family still farms the land as they have for hundreds of years. Helen's mother, Mary Elizabeth Burke married Swiss Irving I. Oser, whose uncle Max, a Swiss riding instructor, married Mathilde McCormick, daughter of Harold McCormick and Edith Rockefeller. Although she was never impressed with wealth or fame, others enjoyed mentioning that Helen was related (by marriage) to the Rockefellers. Once when in Washington, D.C. her son mentioned to Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia that his mother was distantly related to him. The senator replied, "isn't everyone?" That story always drew a laugh from Helen. During WWII, Helen's mother sewed ensigns at the Charlestown Navy Yard which were then flown at the sterns of Navy warships. After her father left the family, Helen attended school and helped raise her two brothers, Irving J. Oser (Sonny) and John D. Oser (Jack). Sonny would become a Navy "frogman" in WWII and Korean War. He then joined the Boston Police Department as patrolman and detective. Mom would laugh so heartily when the story was told that her brother, Sonny, went under cover to catch a notorious purse snatcher in the Boston "combat zone." Dressed in babushka clothing, he walked the streets with a purse slung on his shoulder. One night the thief grabbed the purse and ran. Muscle-bound and dark-whiskered, Sonny tossed off his heels, hiked his skirt and began pursuit. That thief learned not to tangle with babushkas on Sonny's beat. Years later one of Sonny's partners, Detective John David Schroeder, was killed in the line of duty on November 30, 1973. Mom's brother, Jack, would become a paratrooper in WWII and after attend college on the GI bill. He attended Harvard University and taught elementary school children eventually becoming principal of the Teaticket School in East Falmouth, Mass (Cape Cod). She loved her brothers dearly and was so proud of them. America gave them a chance and they gave back immeasurably. Twelve years after her divorce, Helen's mother was given an annulment by the Church and married Christopher Murphy, Belfast-born Irishman whose family had left Ireland as religious refugees. After immigrating to the U.S. as a child, Chris and his sister would entertain Boston audiences with song and dance. In Ireland, his father had been head carpenter at the Harland and Wolff ship yard which built the "Titanic." Although scheduled to go on the maiden voyage, Chris' father was asked by a young journeyman if he might take his place. That young helper was lost when the ship went down. Helen's mother and Chris had one child, Christopher Murphy, Helen's third brother. He, too, served his country in the National Guard and became a businessman in Norwood, Mass and is now retired, living in Florida. Helen adored her step father as he had come into their lives lovingly accepting a family of four and never wavering in his commitment to them. When Helen and her future husband, David, were dating they began a Saturday night routine of going to the Cocoanut Grove nightclub on Piedmont Street, Boston. He would pick her up in his Packard convertible at the Academie Moderne where she trained for modeling. They had a regular table at the Grove and would enjoy a night of cocktails, dinner and dancing. On Saturday night, November 28, 1942 while waiting for David, Mom received his call that he did not feel well enough to go out. They would not be among 492 patrons and employees of the Grove who perished that night in an horrific fire. The memory of that tragedy never left Helen. Helen and David married and David became Assistant City Attorney for Mayor James Michael Curley while maintaining a law office on Newbury Street in Boston. Being ambitious and choosing to provide for his parents and two sisters, he sold waterfront real estate on weekends to earn more money. His father had immigrated from eastern Europe and built a business of five "dry goods" stores in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The Great Depression brought about the closure of that enterprise. One of David's brothers, Al Cohen, continued the family tradition and successfully owned AlCon's store in Beverly, Mass. until his death. Al was also a state representative for the people of Beverly at the time of his death.Helen and David maintained an apartment on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston and a seaside home in Bristol, RI. He continued to practice law in Boston and became Assistant Attorney General for Massachusetts. He purchased an ocean front farm in Bristol where he created a community selling to WWII veterans returning home from war. Helen and David would continue to grow their real estate business in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Virginia and Florida. Purchasing property in Virginia with partner, Col. Joe Barger, they created the Lake Barcroft community six miles from the White House. During that time, David was represented by his friend and attorney, Thomas Dodd, formerly prosecutor at the War Crimes Trial and future Senator from Connecticut. That friendship became a life-long one and Dodd would frequently visit Helen and David in Bristol. Vacations were infrequent because of work and raising a family. In 1949, they took a trip from Boston to France aboard the ship, the "Ile de France." David and Helen met Gertrude and John Jacob Astor VI whose father had perished aboard the "Titanic." They would tour Europe, together, for several months. During a later trip, to Acapulco, Mexico, Mom and Dad met Nora Eddington, wife of swashbuckling Hollywood star, Errol Flynn. Taken by Helen's grace and beauty, Ms. Eddington invited Helen to Hollywood where she met Errol Flynn. She was screen-tested and offered a studio contract. Despite the lure of fame, Helen chose a private life returning to the New England coast where she helped David in his career and raised a family of three children. Not once did she regret choosing a private life of family and friends. In the mid-1950s, David travelled to Texas where he was impressed by how much land there was and the relative dearth of waterfront property. He learned of an area in central Texas with a reservoir created by the damming of the Colorado River in 1950. It was called Lake Granite Shoals. A Senator from Texas, Lyndon B. Johnson, owned a ranch on the lake. (The lake was renamed Lake LBJ in 1965). David purchased a 2,000 acre ranch on the lakeshore and created the Sunrise Beach community. LBJ became a customer and acquaintance. LBJ's sister, Becky Bobbitt, and her husband became close friends of Helen's and David's.As David spent more time in Texas, a decision was faced. Would David continue commuting from New England or would the family move to Texas. It was very difficult for Helen to leave her beloved Boston and Bristol, and her New England family. But, she chose what was in the best interest for her children.Once in San Antonio, Helen learned to play golf, grow a garden in a hot climate and discovered Green Enchiladas and Chalupas Compuesta. She and David entertained the "who's who" of Texas, but Mom never lost sight of her beginnings. They supported many charitable organizations and individuals who needed help. The frugal little girl, who patched shoes with pieces of cardboard, and as a treat baked potatoes in a Boston coal yard, always remained part of whom she was. That little girl became a beautiful, elegant and gracious lady who deeply loved her family, friends and life. Helen leaves a daughter, Robin Miller Holbrook, son, Brant Oser Miller, granddaughters, Holly Holbrook and Tracey Holbrook Stephens and great granddaughter, Karma Stephens all of San Antonio. She leaves a son, Jay R. Miller of San Antonio and Little Compton, RI. Her brother, Jack, and sister-in-law, Dorothy, live in Maine where Jack writes and advocates for environmental protection and she makes hand-made soaps. Nieces and nephews, Linda Matthews of Falmouth, Leonard Oser of East Lyme, Ct., Deborah Cremin of Jamaica Plain, Donella DeCourcey of Randolph, Mark Oser of Randolph and Michael Oser of Mansfield, Mass survive her. Her niece, Laurie Ann (Ariagno) Oser passed in 2005 and her beloved sister-in-law, Rose (Nompleggi) Oser passed in 2016. Brother, Sonny, passed in 2005. Mom would be joyful if she knew about the Patriots' success at the Super Bowl and would have loved that game.A memorial service will be held in San Antonio, Texas, and later this year a celebration of her life will be held in New England. The family requests that, if inclined, donations be made to help disabled veterans and their families, or to families of fallen police officers, or to further aphasia research.