Obituary of Marion Jeanne Hibbard Dwyer Miller

Marion Dwyer Miller died peacefully on August 20, 2024 at age 94. Preceding Marion in death were her parents, Shelden Hibbard and Dorothy Carland Hibbard, her first husband D. Lynn Dwyer, her second husband Lorenz Miller and her sister Lois Dietrich. 

Marion was born on June 21, 1930 in Duluth, MN and enjoyed her musical studies (violin and voice) in school, which led to her majoring in music education and playing in the orchestra at Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh, PA. She loved ice skating and continued to do this at a high level after moving to Pittsburgh. She met her eventual husband Lynn Dwyer through the Pittsburgh Figure Skating Club and joined him as a performer on ice with the professional touring company, the “Ice Capades” in 1954. She and Lynn visited many cities during this time. Both of them agreed that Minneapolis would be a great place to live and start a family. Marion and Lynn had two children, Keith and Loren. Marion worked at Schmitt Music and as a choir director at St. George’s Episcopal Church in St. Louis Park while raising her children. 

She was a hard worker who paid attention to detail and challenged her choirs (youth and adult) to aspire to and achieve musical excellence while maintaining spiritual focus. She was a good singer and enjoyed singing in the Minnetonka Choral Society for many years. She was a devoted Christian who saw music as a beautiful gift from God that she was privileged to participate in and share with others. 

She was devoted to her family and made sure that her boys had opportunities to learn and grow outside of school, encouraging participation in sports as well as in music. Though she was quite short in stature at 5’ 0.5” in her younger years, (before osteoporosis gradually took about 4”) she was looked up to and respected by those who knew her, especially the students who learned from her and colleagues who worked with her.  

After her husband Lynn died, Marion met and married Lorenz Miller of Minnetonka, MN. They enjoyed ice dancing (they met rehearsing an ice show tour to Scandinavia), going to plays (especially the Children’s Theater Company of Minneapolis), concerts (especially the Minnesota Orchestra) and enjoying various outdoor activities. At St. George’s Episcopal Church, she became a Scripture-reader, reflecting her love of reading the Bible daily. She continued her Bible and devotional reading after Lorenz’ passing in 2002, making it an essential part of her morning routine. She was the proud grandmother of Thomas Dwyer and Elizabeth Dwyer Champion and was blessed to have four Champion great-grandchildren. Sadly, she became more isolated during our recent pandemic, resulting in some cognitive decline and ending in a nasty fall that landed her in the hospital and began a two-year period of physical decline in a nursing care facility.  

Marion made a significant positive impact on many lives and will be greatly missed. She recently wrote, “I’m thankful to be loved no matter what happens and what I do.” “I have been loved and have loved – God, family, friends and music!” When asked what she believed would happen to her after death, she replied, “My body is no more, but my soul (or spirit) goes on to be with God forever.” 

A memorial service celebrating Marion’s life will be held on Friday, September 20, 11:00 am at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 5224 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN, followed by a light lunch at the church. A visitation will be held the night before (Sept. 19) from 6-8 pm, also at St. George’s church. Memorials preferred to the St. George’s Church music fund.