Thea Justine (Cousins) Miller (1947-2025)

MILLER, COUSINS, WIEGARD

Posted By: Pamela Wagler
Date: 5/5/2025 at 18:16:49

Messinger Mortuaries Cemeteries Crematories
Scottsdale, Arizona
April 16, 2025

Thea Justine Miller

Thea Justine Miller Obituary
Thea Justine Cosens Miller of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away on Sunday, April 13,2025, after a battle with cancer. Born on June 17, 1949, in Burlington, Iowa, she was the daughter of Robert and Janet (Wiegard) Cosens. Thea was the second of four children and spent her childhood growing up in the small, rural friendly town of Mediapolis, Iowa. She was a member of the Mediapolis Presbyterian Church and was constantly involved in church activities, playing the organ for Sunday Church services and partaking in local town events. While growing up she followed her parents' hard-work ethics by babysitting, helping her brother deliver the daily newspaper, working at the local veterinary clinic, waitressing at the local ice cream parlor and working as a salesclerk in the town dress store.

Thea attended Mediapolis High School, where she was continuously on the academic honor roll. Her high school activities included playing clarinet in the band, cheerleader and serving as the President of the Student Council her senior year. Thea met her future husband Lynn in high school, and they married on December 23, 1969. Thea attended the University of Iowa, graduating in 1971 with a B.A. degree in Home Economics Education. She continued her college education while living in Ohio and earned her M.A. degree in Clothing and Textiles from Kent State University in 1977. Her early career positions included teaching Special Education students at the University of Iowa Children's School, and in the Maquoketa, Iowa, school system, followed by teaching Home Economics in Davenport, Iowa, and Loveland, Colorado.

After living in Colorado for many years, Thea and her husband moved to Arizona where she pursued volunteer work with the Heard Museum. She was an active Guild member for more than 20 years, serving on several committees, gift shop sales, but most importantly focusing her attention on the Student Art Program. Her true passion was working with the student artists, encouraging creativity, helping develop confidence, skill, and promoting youth art activities. Each year Thea cherished the opportunity and honor to "hang the Museum Sponsored Student Art Show and Sale" displays. Her goal was to position each participating student's work to reflect the artist's dedication and effort in creating the unique art piece.

Throughout Thea's life, she continuously nurtured her spirituality and deep faith in God. In 2006, she and her husband attended a candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale, Arizona and felt they found a new home in a warm family environment that welcomed them into their community. Since that time, Thea has cherished the opportunity Desert Hills ministries gave her through classes to enhance her spiritual knowledge and allow her to physically and emotionally offer herself to actively help individuals both in and outside the church. She viewed her unexpected recent involvement with fellow cancer patients as an opportunity to share and offer positive encouragement, hope, prayers and faith in God. In addition, over her time with the church, she found tremendous satisfaction serving in several capacities such as a greeter, usher, Deacon, and as kitchen help for Sunday morning coffee and donuts. During the past few years, she focused much of her attention on the "Walking Beside Ministries" especially enjoying the camaraderie with members of the group. She often shared how blessed and fortunate she felt to be a "family member" of a church with the most loving, sincere and caring individuals.

Thea loved and appreciated her family, She also loved and deeply cherished her many long-time close friends who have been a meaningful part of her and Lynn's life, and shared their love, care and wonderful support through her recent illness.

Thea was preceded in death by her parents, brother Larry Cosens, and is survived by her husband of 55 years, Lynn, Aunt: Connie McFall (Cosens), Atlanta, Georgia, two sisters: Dana (Lanny) Hillyard, Mediapolis, Iowa, and Ann (Rodger) Miller, Prescott, Arizona, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Desert Hills Presbyterian Church or your favorite charity in her name.