Message posted by Joanna van der Gracht to the IWC Facebook page
It is with great sadness I let you all know that former IWC President, Loretta Scott Miller has passed away.
She was an amazing, active woman all her life.
But during the past couple of years, several serious health issues began sapping her energy. This past week , a bad fall in her own home was the final blow.
I met Loretta during the ten years she and husband Ken lived here.
The two of us became great friends and we shared so much. On our own, and with our husbands, we traveled around Mexico, and we met up with them once in Southern California.
In her Chicxulub apartment and in my Mérida kitchen, Loretta and I cooked memorable meals.
We also shared a love of writing and reading. She encouraged me always. And her experienced hand helped me to publish four books. In turn I offered my assistance when she wrote her wonderful book,
“A Yucatán Kitchen.” Many IWC members have told me they use her regional cuisine recipes all the time.
Often, Loretta and I got silly and nostalgic.
Although we grew up in different places, we shared similar Catholic school-days stories.
She talked about her sisters and her brother, her cousins, and her two great childhood friends, Mary and Bernadette. I, in turn, told her about my younger years, about my friends especially “my” Mary in Vancouver, Canada. We laughed so much…
She loved the IWC and during her tenure as IWC president, she was hands-on. She danced for the Red Cross Pre-Carnaval fund raiser, she organized a retreat, and the Christmas bazaar.
After she moved away, she visited Mérida a few times, including the IWC 35th Anniversary. We stayed in touch through Facebook and by phone. I went to her side when Ken died in Panama.
Oh, oh oh… I could write so much more about my friend, but I’d enjoy hearing your stories too.
How did Loretta bring joy to your life?
I have attached a photo of her and I. I will cherish her memory forever.
Joanna van der Gracht.