Sonya H. Miller

Sonya Haliczer Miller 88 of St. Pete Beach passed away Monday, January 2, 2017. Sonya, was born in St. Petersburg in 1928, and lived her entire life in this community. She was a graduate of St. Petersburg High School and attended St. Petersburg Junior College. In 1948, Sonya married Irwin Harold Miller, a resident of Pass-A-Grille. They were married for 62 years until Irwin’s death in 2010. The Millers owned and operated The Rellim Hotel ( Miller spelled backwards) until 1981, one of the St. Petersburg area’s earliest winter time resorts. Sonya worked alongside Irwin, acting as Social Director and Ye Editor of the weekly newsletter , the Rellim Tellim. Sonya was a loving role model to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, and nephews . She considered all she met to be friends, never strangers. She was an avid lover of music and the arts, giving of herself in support of the local Jewish and greater St Petersburg communities. Sonya was a founder and subsequent co- chair of Art Festival Beth-El for over 40 years. Under her leadership, the Art Festival has become one of the premier arts events on the West Coast of Florida. She also served on the boards of The Dali Museum, Menorah Manor, the Jewish Federation of Pinellas and Pasco counties. She was a long standing supporter and patron of the Florida Orchestra, Freefall Theater, and American Stage. In 2009, the Miller family was honored by Temple Beth-El for 75 years of support and service to the congregation, where five generations of the family have been continual members of the Temple. She is lovingly survived by her three children, son and daughter-in-law, Howard and Nancy Miller, daughter and son-in-law Jan and Craig Sher, son and daughter-in-law Jay and Jan Miller; nine grandchildren, Jessica Sher, Stacy and Will Conroy, Alison Sher, Rachel Miller and David Truong, Paul Miller, and Lina and Naomi Miller, and two great-grandchildren, Paige and Jack Conroy, as well as her devoted sister, Marilyn Benjamin, and her children and grandchildren. Funeral services will be 11 AM Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at Temple Beth-El, 400 Pasadena Avenue South, St. Petersburg. Burial will follow in the Miller family plot at Royal Palm Cemetery-South. The family would appreciate donations in lieu of flowers to Temple Beth-El or Menorah Manor. Shiva observances: 7 pm Wednesday night 1/4 and Thursday night 1/5 Home of Jan and Craig Sher 2300 Sunset Way St Pete Beach 7 pm Saturday night 1/7 Home of Jay and Jan Miller 723 17th Ave NE St Petersburg David C. Gross Funeral Homes, Central Avenue Chapel in St. Petersburg is serving the family. Service Information