Zona Mae Miller
June 30, 1920 ~ May 26, 2009
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
Zona Mae (Campbell) Miller passed away May 26, 2009, at Villa Pueblo Senior Community. Born in Rocky Ford, Colorado on June 30, 1920, she received an associates degree from Pueblo Junior College and a BA in Music from Colorado College in 1943. In 1955, she married Robert Miller and they spent many happy years traveling and enjoying the outdoors together until his passing in 2005. In addition to her two sons, Rick and Tim, she also raised her nephew, Donald Campbell (later chief district judge of El Paso County) and niece, Joyce Dabbs.
Zona's life revolved around music of which she was a dedicated teacher and promoter. She studied voice and performed in New York City before returning to Colorado and studying under Rafaello Cavallo who organized several of Colorado's orchestras. Zona helped found the revitalized Pueblo Civic Symphony and was principal violist with the Pueblo Symphony for over 50 years. She also played in the Colorado Springs Symphony, Central City Opera Orchestra, Red Rocks Orchestra, Rainbow Strings, and countless other musical groups as well as directed the choir and bell choir at St. Paul United Methodist church and a Slavic tamburitsa folk orchestra. In addition to teaching music to private students for most of her life, she also taught at Swink High School and for 12 years at Somerlid elementary school. She co-owned and managed the Bookery bookstore in Pueblo and was a longtime member and one-time president of the AU chapter of P.E.O, a woman's philanthropic and educational association.
Zona's inspiration and enthusiasm for life will be remembered by all who knew her. She is survived by her two sons; her brother, James Campbell of San Diego; and nephews, Fred and Mike McMillan of Pueblo, Larry McMillan of Aurora and Donald Campbell of Colorado Springs.
There will be no viewing. Cremation, Montgomery & Steward Crematorium. Service, 10 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 2009, at First United Methodist Church, 11th and Grand, with the Reverend Dr. Rick Calhoun officiating. Online condolences, MontgomerySteward.com
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Tim and Rick,
My heart goes out to both of you at the loss of your mother. Through her countless contributions to the community over the years her legacy will live on in the hundreds of students she taught and inspired and the audiences touched by her tremendous talent.
Tim-I’m so sorry for the lost of your mother, she sounded like a great lady. I’m sure everyone will miss her terribly. She’ll be playing music with the Angels.
Zona is a person that came through this life and made a difference. She touched many people with her gift for music and humanity. I studied violin with Zona for many years while growing up in Pueblo. I believe a sign of a brilliant teacher is that of caring, guidance, preparation, showing and sharing the love for music and appreciation of life which Zona did with elegance and style. My family and I would like to send out our condolences to Zona’s family and friends. She was a dear, dear friend to all of us. She will be missed tremendously! And in the words of my father, “Zona was the heart and soul of the Pueblo Symphony Orchestra.”
I am also a musician, and Zona and I crossed paths many times, mainly through the music program at St. Paul UM Church. What a dynamo she was! What optimism, enthusiasm, and true musicianship! Since I am so thoroughly convinced of the survival of the personality at earthly death, I should speak in the present tense: Zona, you are a marvel! Goodbye my friend, until we meet again … and I’m certain we will. Condolences to the family who share the loss of this great woman. God Bless all of you.
I was fortunate to be among Zona’s violin students. What Phillip Rose wrote about her teaching is put so very well! My twin sister, Darla, and I took lessons in her home on Sante Fe Ave. (no longer there) and on West 19th Street. Our younger sister, Delaine, and Mom would go with us. Delaine at times would “help” Mrs. Campbell with her chores during the lessons. Zona and Rafaello Cavallo would have chamber music sessions with cellist, Dr. Maynard. They would ask Darla and me to join them. What a wonderful experience and introduction to chamber music! Zona and Mr Cavallo encouraged my 2 sisters and me to use our God given talents. Darla and I joined the Pueblo Symphony while in the 8th grade, and Delaine, a cellist, joined while in the 6th grade. While in high school, with Zona’s encouragement, Darla and I began studying with Walter Eisenberg, who came to Pueblo to teach and direct the Pueblo Symphony. In the 1960s, Zona & I would travel together to Colorado Springs to play in the Colorado Springs Symphony directed by him. After I moved to Phoenix area, Zona was instrumental in my joining with the Pueblo Symphony under Gerhard Track for a series of concerts in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. What an opportunity to join with old friends for an outstanding musical experience! This led to 2 other trips with Pueblo musicians to the same ares. I have now retired to Prescott, AZ, and am still actively playing in a string orchestra, a pops orchestra, and a chamber music society. I thank Zona for all of that!
I always exchanged cards and letters with Zona at Christmas time. Her note from this past year said she was still teaching 2 students. Amazing woman!
I send my sincere condolences to Zona’s family and friends. She will be missed so very much. I know that she is up there in heaven playing celestial violin music, or viola, or even singing, too.
Zona was one of my viola teachers when I was growing up in Pueblo, and I was fortunate to remain in contact with her over the years. She was, of course, the wonderful, generous person whom many will remember, but I will also remember her as possessing the ideal qualities of a music teacher. She was was always encouraging but not pushy, generous with her time and music resources, and always expressed her opinions in a way that encouraged me to do better.
My condolences go to Zona’s family and friends.
What a beautiful, gentle woman. She definitely made this world a better place! She will be missed by many!