Cookie Miller, 88, passes away Tuesday, July 26,2011. Born to Anthony Joseph Caracciolo and Frances (Meyer) Caracciolo July 21, 1923, Grace Rose Marie Caracciolo was raised in Detroit, Michigan. She attended St.Cyril Catholic High School.
Rose Marie met the love of her life, Ted J. Miller, in 1941. She worked as a Bookkeeper at Bake King, a cookie company in Detroit, where she met Ted Miller, the "nice ice" man who delivered ice to the company. It was love at first sight. They began dating and immediately he nicknamed her "Cookie". Ted and Cookie married in 1945. Mr. Miller sold his ice business shortly after. He formed Miller's Chrome, a business where he manufactured dinette sets. He subsequently opened 6 furniture stores within the Detroit area. They also dabbled in a few side businesses - swimming pools, outdoor furniture, christmas trees and trampoline centers around the city. The Miller's began their family in 1948 when Donna Ghean was born; followed by Beverlee Ann then Ted "Jayme" and Kenneth.
Ted ran the business while Cookie raised their 4 children. When the children were all in school, Cookie worked side by side with Ted at Miller's Chrome until 1969 when they began a new venture. They bought 90 acres in the heart of Boynton Beach, Florida. They developed Royal Manor Estates, 450 homesites of manufactured houses. Mr. & Mrs. Miller owned and operated the business until Mr. Miller's death in 1997. Cookie continued overseeing the daily operation of Royal Manor until 2006 when she became ill.
Cookie lived a full life despite many obstacles and tragedies. She lost her son Kenneth at the age of 20 - a devastating event but she maintained her strength. She enjoyed 52 years of marriage; and with her husband built a successful business.
Cookie maintained her strength until April of this year when her daughter, Donna Ghean Batelaan passed away. Cookie leaves behind her daughter Beverlee and son Jayme as well as Michael Hercula & Tony Hercula of Kentucky & Michael Arnolt of Indiana her beloved nephews.
A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at Boynton Memorial Chapel,
800 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach on Saturday, July 30 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Palm Beach Habilitation Center, 4522 S Congress's Avenue, Lake Worth, FL 33461.