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MaryCiel Hawkins Miller, 77, passed away in San Antonio, Texas, on July 3, 2021, with her children by her side. MaryCiel was born on March 10, 1944, to James Edwin “Ed” Hawkins and Leona Virginia Abbott Hawkins in San Angelo, Texas.
She was the middle of three sisters between her older sister, Edwina, and her younger sister, Nancy.
After she graduated from Sonora High School, she attended San Angelo College (now Angelo State University). She married Aubrey Miller on August 26, 1964, and they had two children, Alisa and Alex.
MaryCiel eagerly anticipated starting a family, and when her children arrived, she stayed at home to care for them in their early years. Later, she and Aubrey owned Cornelison Brothers Cleaners in San Angelo. After moving from San Angelo, she worked at Foley’s (which later became Macy’s) for many years in both Austin and San Antonio.
When she and her group of friends retired from Macy’s, they maintained their friendship through monthly luncheons, long phone conversations, and support for each other through the years. When her children began their families, MaryCiel became a proud grandmother, lovingly known as Naina, who adored her grandchildren.
In her younger days, MaryCiel dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, and while she never realized that dream, she embraced her love of fashion throughout her life and was always quick to spot a new outfit, shoes, or fashion trend. Her eye for beauty extended to other facets of her life, as well.
MaryCiel loved making her yard a sanctuary, where her green thumb always produced lush blooms and greenery. She enjoyed watching the birds, too, and would set up feeders to attract a variety of her feathered visitors. A lifelong animal lover, MaryCiel was never far from her dogs, which were her true companions in her later years.
MaryCiel is survived by her daughter Alisa Miller (husband, Mark Stelly); her son Alex Miller (wife, Molly Miller); her grandchildren Austin Miller, Benjamin Calvin, and Maeve Calvin; her sister Nancy Hollway; several nieces and nephews; and many friends. MaryCiel is proceeded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sister Edwina Friess.
The family wishes to thank the staff at The William Senior Living and Heart of Texas Hospice for their loving care and assistance.
A graveside service will be held at Sonora Cemetery on Saturday, September 25 at 11:00 am with a reception to follow at The Depot.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in MaryCiel’s name to Animal Defense League of Texas.
