HEADMASTER’S REMARKS
“She quickly earned the trust and absolute respect of St.Andrew’s students because they knew intuitively that DyAnn loved them, cared for them and knew how to help them. And, quite literally, she saved kids, kids who might have been overlooked, who might have been too timid to ask for help.” - Headmaster Tad Roach
DyAnn Miller, who joined St.Andrew’s faculty in 1984, died of cancer on May 2, 2005. DyAnn was a valued member of the faculty, the founder and director of the School’s counseling program and a valued teacher and dorm parent. She fought a tough battle with her cancer but as the spring unfolded, it became more and more clear that her treatments were unable to halt the spread of the disease. She died at home as the community near and far rallied around her, her two young sons, and her sister,Wendy Rector. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rick Stow, in 1999. A memorial service celebrating DyAnn’s life and spirit was held in the School Chapel on Saturday, May 7, 2005. After the service, each person attending floated a sunflower into the pond at Washburn Cove in DyAnn’s memory. Headmaster Tad Roach delivered the following remarks at the memorial service for DyAnn.
DyAnn Miller—My friend and counselor I am honored to speak today about my friend, colleague and counselor, DyAnn Miller. All of us assembled in this Chapel stand not only for ourselves and our families as we celebrate DyAnn’s life: our trustees, faculty, students, staff, alumni, past and present parents and friends stand today for literally thousands of St. Andreans who mourn DyAnn’s death and honor her and support her family, not only now but in the weeks, months and years ahead. Ryan and Derek, Betty Jane, Wendy, Clint and the entire family—we express the love, commitment and support of the entire St.Andrew’s family. At a time in humanity’s history when so much of life seems within our easy grasp and control, we moderns have to admit that we do not write the scripts of our lives; we do not direct or produce the scenes and even get to know what roles
4 SUMMER 2005
we will be assigned. Instead, we embrace a life, without promises, without guarantees, without certainty, and paradoxically, it is our absolute vulnerability to death and tragedy that makes us come alive, appreciate the beauty and mystery of life. What we can do is to choose to engage in and live in a fallen and mysterious world, one full of happiness, joy, fulfillment and love and one full of tragedy, sadness, confusion and despair. I believe it is the human decision to engage in the world of real life, the work of transformation, love and service that redeems us, makes us heroic, courageous and noble. Our control cannot extend to how long we get to live, but rather how passionately we choose to live. Our humanity does not shield us from the stings and arrows of outrageous fortune, but our humanity does allow us to respond, to affirm life over death, love over hate, optimism over pessimism.
