Diana Miller

Diana Sue (Dee Dee) Miller, age 72, passed away on Sunday October 6. Born September 27, 1952, in Nuremberg, Germany, she was the daughter of the late John Clifton Windle and Martha Joan (JoAnn) Sweatt Windle and lived her early life in Joplin, MO. Dee Dee was a 1970 graduate of Parkwood High School in Joplin and graduated in 1974 from Stephens College in Columbia, MO. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. 

One of the most influential parts of her Dee Dee’s life was staying at her Grandparents summer cabin with her family each summer in Red River, New Mexico. Those many summers on Bitter Creek left an indelible mark causing her to spend much of her later years in Taos; a city she loved. Dee Dee had traveled the world, but always called Taos home. She was an avid golfer, horse rider, rancher and animal lover. Dee Dee was always full of life and fun to enjoy time with. She will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her sister Pamela Jo (Pam) Staley and her husband Jack W. Staley of Silverthorne, CO; her niece Vera Marie Staley and her husband Matt Ferraro of Denver, CO, her niece Emma Claire Batchelder and her husband Liam of Brentwood, NH, and her nephew Bryce Clifton Staley and his wife Christina Lopez of Kingston, NH. 

-Pam Staley

Dee Dee Miller never had children of her own, but she never let that get in the way of claiming Taos kids as her own. Some of her greatest joys as well as biggest disappointments came at the hands of local youth groups but she never wavered in her desire to support any young person that needed her help. Dee Dee although, wealthy and very refined had a unique ability to appeal to young people, communicate with them and appreciate each and every one of them for their abilities and dreams. Ultimately, their dreams became her dreams. It might have been as simple as buying a duck at the County Fair or as big as helping the newly formed NMJRA rodeo association with a game changing sponsorship. Dee Dee loved to give opportunities to kids, and she was addicted to the smiles and the appreciation kids showed.  Some of those kids where young and some not so much… She still called them “her kids”.  All we have heard since her passing from people is how she touched their lives and what a wonderful and sweet soul Dee Dee was. 

Dee Dee loved Art in Taos, and she supported it wholeheartedly.  After selling her beloved DD Ranch she purchased the renowned home of the artist John Young Hunter and began the process of transforming the property so that ultimately it could be left behind as a Taos Historical venue for artists to come, stay and reflect and express themselves in a peaceful and beautiful space. She even solicited the help of the Wurlitzer Foundation to move this idea forward. To sit and listen to her dreams of how it was to play out truly speaks volumes about Dee Dee’s generous and selfless nature and her commitment to the Taos art community. It is my sincere wish that Dee Dee’s legacy will reveal itself to everyone at the Historic John Young Hunter home on Piedmont Road in the future. 

On a personal note, Dee Dee, you were my friend!  You became a member of our family, and we are stunned at your passing. It has created a great void in our lives that can never be filled. I see it in the faces of my wife and my sons, and I hear it in their voices. We will miss you for the rest of our lives, but we will always remember your smile, your wonderful personality and how much you cared about us. Thank you for being a part of our family and I look forward to the day that we can see you again… 

“Standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona, such a fine sight to see” 

Take it easy…

-John Adams

Pallbearers: Seth Adams, John Adams, Jake Cordova, Mike Holly, Chris WINCKLER, and Thom wheeler

Memorial services will be held on October 19, 2024 at 11AM at Taos Calvary Church. A public internment will follow at the Adam's and sons cattle company ranch on Camino del Medio.