Hilarie Swanson Miller was born in Caripito, Venezuela on April 21, 1953 to Virginia and William Swanson. The family, including her two sisters Susan and Charlotte, moved back to the U.S. in 1958 and lived in various locations in southern Illinois. They considered Effingham, Illinois home.

She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in education. She moved to Chicago after graduation where she met her husband Thomas (Tom) Miller. They were married in Chicago on April 19, 1980. The couple then moved to Houston where they spent 41 wonderful years together.

The joys of Hilarie's life were her three sons, Colin, Christopher and Michael. She was overjoyed to welcome daughters-in-law, Alexandra and Vivian, into the family. But what really delighted Hilarie were her three grandchildren, Austin, Baylor and Lydia (Ellie) and the news that a fourth grandchild was on the way in September. She greatly loved family gatherings and reunions with all of her extended family.

Her vocation in life was to help others, whether family, friends, students or complete strangers. Hilarie worked for many years at Moore Elementary School assisting children with learning disabilities. After retiring from teaching, she dedicated herself full time to volunteer and mission work. She was actively involved in managing the Matthew 25:35 Food Pantry at Lakewood United Methodist Church (LUMC). She had a particular love for working in the book section at the annual garage sale, the Sager Brown Mission Trips, and many other ministries at LUMC. Additionally, she enjoyed doing Meals-On-Wheels with her friends, visiting with the many clients she met, and Emmaus (working walks in the Houston West Emmaus community).

She loved the time she spent in Colorado with family, hiking and exploring the beauty of the high country around Keystone. It was a place she loved and brought her much joy.

All that knew Hilarie admired her amazing kindness, patience, and positive attitude, even in the face of great adversity toward the end of her life. Hilarie was incredibly selfless, always putting the interests of others before her own. Hilarie had a smile that could light up a room.

She is survived by her adoring husband Thomas; her sons and their spouses, Colin, Christopher and Alexandra, Michael and Vivian, her grandchildren Austin, Baylor and Ellie; her sisters, Susan and Charlotte, and many nephews and nieces.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held in her honor at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 2021 at Lakewood United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Matthew 25:35 ministry at LUMC, the Houston West Emmaus Community, Father Dyer United Methodist Church in Breckenridge, CO (the second church she loved), or MD Anderson Cancer Center (the cancer research fund).