Joanne Marie Miller

Joanne Marie Miller, born Joanne Marie Shaw, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, September 26, 2026, after a courageous six-month battle with lung cancer. She was surrounded by the people who loved her most.

Joanne was born on July 31, 1956, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her family later moved to Spokane, Washington, before Joanne eventually made her home in Boise, Idaho.

The third oldest of six children and the oldest daughter, Joanne took on a caring role early in life, helping look after her younger siblings. As a teenager, she enjoyed music, spending time at the park, and the simple moments that would become part of so many treasured family memories.

Joanne met her husband, Bernie, in September 1973, and the two later married. Together they built a life and family they shared for nearly five decades. They welcomed their first daughter, Valerie, in 1981 and their second daughter, Nicole, in 1989.

Joanne was one of the hardest-working people you could ever meet. She began working as a teenager, including as a housekeeper and for a telephone switch company, before beginning what would become a long career with the Better Business Bureau. Joanne spent 38 years with BBB before continuing her career with the Alzheimer’s Association for the final 10 years of her working life.

After a lifetime dedicated to her work and the people around her, Joanne retired in January 2026. Retirement, however, never quite suited her hardworking nature. Even throughout her illness, she was still looking for jobs to do and ways to stay busy.

Outside of work, Joanne loved the things that made everyday life fun. She loved shoes, clothes, reading, and a good action movie. She loved shopping and was always on the hunt for the best deal, especially at Costco and Dillard’s. Her Saturday errands became a tradition of their own, often with one or both of her daughters tagging along for the ride.

More than anything, Joanne loved being with her daughters, Valerie and Nicole, who were not only her children but also her best friends. Whether they were shopping, running errands, talking, laughing, or simply spending time together, being with her girls was one of the great joys of her life.

Joanne showed her love by taking care of people. She took wonderful care of Bernie throughout their life together and made sure the people around her were fed, welcomed, and looked after. Her home had an open-door policy, especially during the holidays. There was always room for one more person at the table, and no one was ever expected to spend a holiday alone.

Family meals were one of the ways Joanne brought everyone together. She was famous for her holiday ham and for her Sunday meals, always making enough so there would be leftovers for the week ahead. The food mattered, but what mattered most was having everyone together around the table.

Above all, Joanne’s life was rooted in her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, and her presence became part of the everyday fabric of the lives of the people who loved her.

Joanne was preceded in death by her mother, Phyllis Shaw; her father, Richard Shaw; and her brothers, Richard and Steven Shaw.

She is survived by her husband, Bernie Miller; her daughters, Valerie Miller and Nicole (Josh) Nett; her grandchildren, Kassidy Carlson, Grace Nett, and Wyatt Nett; her brother, Jon Shaw; her sisters, Phyllis (Steve) Jensen and Tracy (Andy) Lukes; her lifelong best friend, Jana (Chuck) Ropolato; and many other family members and friends who loved her deeply.

Joanne’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the many medical professionals who cared for her throughout the final six months of her life, including St. Luke’s Oncology, Dr. Greg Trapp and the St. Luke’s seventh-floor nursing team and Riverview Rehabilitation for the kindness, dignity, and compassion they showed Joanne and her family throughout her illness.

What we hold closest in our hearts is knowing that Joanne is finally at peace and reunited with her best friend, her mother, Phyllis.

After a lifetime of working, caring for others, opening her home, feeding her family, and always finding something that needed to be done, may Joanne finally rest.

A memorial service will be held at Bowman Funeral Directors on Friday, October 9th at 2pm.