Former Jim Henson Co. Executive Isabel Miller Dies at 79
Isabel Ann Miller (née McCall), 79, of Rochester, N.Y., died following a brief battle with cancer on August 7.
She was born in New York City in 1945 to John A. McCall and Helen McCall (née Sullivan). Isabel will be remembered for her humor and the size of her heart. She touched many lives in her time, mentoring co-workers, advising young people in her volunteering, and helping countless refugees through her work with Saint’s Place. After graduating Marymount Manhattan College, she worked in New York City, the bulk of her time at Jim Henson Productions, eventually becoming Executive Vice President of consumer products developing toys, apparel, and any number of other Muppet branded goods. While she lived in Manhattan, she was deeply involved in her church, St. Jean Baptiste, and volunteered regularly. Following her career in New York City, she moved to Rochester with her husband, Dick, to be closer to his family. Rather than retire, she began volunteering at Saint’s Place. After a few years of volunteering, she became more involved and was named Executive Director, a role she held until her illness this year. During her 15 years there, she and Saint’s Place’s many devoted volunteers, helped hundreds of families fleeing dire circumstances make a home in Rochester, carrying forward the tenets of her deeply held faith.
Isabel was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Richard (“Dick”) Thomas Miller. She is survived by brothers, Gilbert McCall and Anthony McCall; her daughter, Julie Miller; her son, Douglas Miller; and her granddaughter, Vesper Miller. She was a devoted wife, mother, and sister and will be dearly missed by both her family and the many, many people whose lives she touched.
No prior calling hours. Isabel’s Memorial Mass will be held Friday August, 16, 11:00 AM at St. John of Rochester, 8 Wickford Way, Fairport. Interment private. To attend the Mass remotely, please CLICK HERE for the livestream link. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Saint’s Place, that organization was very dear to her heart.
