Though not always recognised, because of its quiet and unassuming character, a great deal of useful work for various philanthropic causes was done by the late Mrs. Harold O. Miller, of Rushden, whose untimely death we recorded in our last issue.  Mrs. Miller, who was a native of Northampton, was formerly (at that time Miss Flora Elizabeth Leigh) a pupil teacher at St. Edmund’s School, Northampton.  She removed to Rushden in January, 1901, to take up an appointment as assistant teacher at the Newton-road Infants’ School, then under the headmistress-ship of Miss Nash (now Mrs. J. Symes).  When Miss Nash left, Miss Leigh was advised to make application for the post of headmistress, but she declined to do so, as she preferred the position she then held as first assistant teacher.  That position she retained up to the time of her marriage to Mr. Miller – on September 22^nd, 1906.

  Throughout her residence at Rushden Mrs. Miller closely associated herself with various phases of philanthropic work.  She was a hard-working member of the Wellingborough-road Aid Society, which, as a matter of fact, despite its localised name, covers the whole town of Rushden; and she was also a member of the Rushden Ladies’ Aid Society, which to some extent was a similar organisation.  During the war she knitted many scarves, pairs of socks, etc., for the soldiers.  Her thoughts were always for the people in distress.

  Mrs. Miller was one of the original members of the Rushden Thursday Tennis Club, which organisation has now been disbanded, owing to the fact that a couple of years ago the sports ground was required for other purposes, but since that time monthly whist drives have been held, and last year’s proceeds were devoted to the Blind and Crippled Children Fund and the Wellingborough-road Aid Society.  The whist drives were continued throughout the winter of 1927-8, and, on the appeal of Mr. T. W. Cox, Rushden’s representative on the Board of Governors of the Northampton General Hospital, the whole of the proceeds of the season’s efforts will be given to that deserving institution.  The carrying out of these functions was one of the greatest pleasures which Mrs. Miller enjoyed during the last year of her life.

  It is a coincidence that on the afternoon of the day on which Mrs. Miller had her fatal seizure, in the Y.M.C.A. Hall, Mr. Miller himself happened to meet Sister Watson and, stopping to speak to her, found that she was going into Park-road.  When Mrs. Miller was stricken down so suddenly and Mr. Miller was notified, his first thought was to send for Sister Watson, and she was in the house within five minutes of being called.  Mrs. C. Barker, Miss Leigh (deceased’s sister), and Miss W. Clipson carefully put Mrs. Miller to bed and subsequently rendered valued assistance to Sister Watson, who was absolutely unremitting in her care of her patient.

  The late Mrs. Miller was never associated with any of the political parties, but her work in the sphere of philanthropy was constant and enthusiastic.  She died “in harness,” having just finished her duties as M.C. of a whist drive in aid of the funds of the Y.M.C.A.