MILLER, Lurena Mary (Harris) of Seminole, formerly of South Lyon, MI, died Sept. 17, 2011. Born to Florence Harris (later Lefler) in Detroit, MI, Dec. 21, 1932. She is survived by her daughter, Marsha Miller, of Terre Haute, IN; and several nieces; and nephews; two stepdaughters and their husbands; and a step grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, William A. Miller, whom she married Oct. 4, 1952. After starring as the baby Jesus four days after her birth, her life settled down. She graduated from South Lyon High School, began working at Michigan Seamless Tube Company, and there met the man she would marry. She was employed as a secretary at Burroughs Corporation in Plymouth, and in the early 1960s worked in the University of Michigan Medical Center's Neuropathology Department. She staffed the Ann Arbor office for Congressman Marvin L. Esch from his campaign through his entire congressional career. She and her husband enjoyed bowling, and she became a devoted, lifelong bridge player, both in person and more recently via Yahoo Bridge. She was also active in civic matters. In the early 1970s, she was the first woman elected to the South Lyon Planning Commission. When she left for Florida, the South Lyon Herald wrote about her activities in an editorial in glowing terms, entitled "Goodbye, Lurena," noting that she served on the planning commission three years during the sixties and was re-appointed to the commission in 1973 (served as chairwoman), first woman to run for city council, losing by 23 votes. 'I may have been the first woman to run but I won't be the last.' The article also notes her two years' service on both the parks and recreation commission and the citizens' advisory committee to the council, and her election to the charter commission. Upon her husband's retirement from the Michigan Seamless Tube Company in 1976, they became year-round residents of Largo, Florida. She was employed by Bay Pines Medical Center, working in several areas including Supervisor of Release of Medical Information. Upon her retirement in 1990, she once again began to give back to the community. She volunteered at the reception desk of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (began in 1997), the Emergency Room of the Suncoast Hospital , now Largo Medical Center, Indian Rocks campus), and became a Guardian ad Litem in 1994. She also was a volunteer for Headstart and did occasional reading for children at the Seminole Public Library, and was a precinct worker for several elections. While she never sought recognition, her efforts were recognized several times in both the Guardian ad Litems and the Sheriff's office. In the 2008 she was Pinellas GAL of the month, having served for 14 years at that time, and having represented over 75 children, with a then current assignment of 13. "She always offers to take these cases on, no matter where the children are placed. She has a certain way with the children and they love to see hershe is never one to back down from a challenge or the proverbial 'squeaky wheel'." The GAL Case Coordinator/Volunteer Supervisor noted recently: Lurena "is held in the greatest esteem by the Guardian ad Litem Program and by the many, many children she has represented through the years. She is an extraordinary woman whose great love of volunteerism has benefited so many people. It is difficult to describe her contributions to the community and to humanity." In 2009 she was recognized for donating the most hours to the Sheriff's Volunteers in Partnership program (3,400), and most recently, she was a Bronze recipient of the United States Presidential Volunteer award. She loved traveling, reading, classical music, especially opera (she played piano and Hammond organ), and cooking. She had a passion for gardening. She survived three bouts of cancer, beginning in 2008, but not the fourth. Another friend has said: "She didn't suffer fools, had little time for nonsense and gave tirelessly to government service. She had a hidden passion I will never forget." She was a proud and supportive mother, including doing her time as a band parent and was an excellent sounding board in many matters. Her family and friends would like to thank Dr. Lane Ziegler, Dr. Hiral Shah, and the staff of Florida Cancer Specialists and The Woods Hospice for their care and concern. Following cremation by the Hubbell Funeral Home and Crematory, she will be interred in Serenity Gardens. There will be no services. Donations can be made to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches Camps http://www.youthranches.org/ or to Suncoast Hospice (https://www.thehospicefoundation.org/), specifying Hospice House Woodside & Villas in Pinellas Park.