Marion Toronto Miller

Our loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Marion “Mimi” Toronto Miller, passed away on June 30, 2020 in Salt Lake City, she was 85.
Marion was born on November 5, 1934 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the first child of Wallace Felt and Martha (Sharp) Toronto.
She spent her earliest years and some of her teen years with her family in Czechoslovakia where her father was Mission President for the Czechoslovakia Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While there she met and fell in love with a missionary, Vernon J Miller, the love of her life, whom she later married in the Salt Lake Temple. They were sealed for time and all eternity on June 10, 1953.  They were blessed with six children:  Leslie, Kaye, Richard Scott, James Wallace, Julie Ann, and Todd Andrew.
Marion was an accomplished pianist from a young age and was blessed with a beautiful singing voice. She and Vern sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 20 years. They traveled with the choir across the United States, Japan, Europe, and Mexico and performed for 2 Presidential inaugurations. She was a frequent soloist with the choir.
When her children were grown, Marion returned to school to study at the University of Utah where she earned her bachelor’s degree in University Studies. She then received a master’s degree in Fine Arts from BYU. She performed the title role in a BYU production of Madama Butterfly. She sang with the Utah Opera Company, performing many lead roles such as Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, along with many other community theatrical and operatic performances including Mother Abbot in The Sound of Music and The Mother in Amahl And The Night Visitors. She taught vocal lessons for 30 years at the University of Utah, as well as privately in her home. She taught all her children and many of her grandchildren how to give their best vocal performances. She was invited to sing for the birthday celebration of the King of Thailand by his daughter who had been Marion’s student. She graciously accepted and had a wonderful adventure that included elephants and paragliding.
A few years after Vern’s death in 2006, Marion and her sister Judy served a mission in the Czech Republic for 18 months where they were known as the “sister sisters” and together they shared their love of music and the gospel with young missionaries, members, and prospective converts. Upon her return, she began volunteering at St. Mark’s Hospital and serving as a temple worker in the Salt Lake Temple. Her love of music, opera, and her family kept her strong and dignified through her final battle with cancer. She lived her last months in the home of her son Scott and his wife Megan, until Vern took her hand and pulled her through the veil. Her beautiful smile, caring heart full of wisdom, and deep love were felt by many, within and beyond her beloved family. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.
Marion is survived by her loving children and their spouses, Leslie Riley, Kaye Kofford (Doug), Scott Miller (Megan), James Miller (Candi), Julie Reed (Robert) and Todd Miller (Cody); 23 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Robert (Ellen), Allen (Suzy) and David (Allison) and one sister:  Judy Richards (Donald, deceased). She is preceded in death by her husband, Vern, her son-in-law, Wayne Riley, and one sister, Carol Davis (Gene).
Due to current guidelines and for the safety of others, no public services will be held. Cards and letters are appreciated, including your favorite memories of Marion. They can be added to this web site.
Interment will be held privately at the Memorial Holladay Cemetery with family only, following local social gathering restrictions.