One of Betty Miller's daughters had sent a letter to Buckingham Palace, stating their mother was turning 100 on December 19 and the King and Queen sent a card with photo to Betty in return. (Submitted photo)

OXFORD — On December 19, Betty Miller celebrated her 100th birthday with a party held by family and friends at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford.

Daughter Judy Conklin said it was a wonderful time with cake served, past stories shared, and a gold leaf dedication given. She said the family is so happy to still have their mom with them.

Conklin said one of her sisters sent a letter to Buckingham Palace, stating their mother was turning 100 and King Charles III and Queen Camilla sent a card with photo to Betty in return.

“She still has a very quick wit,” said Conklin.

She explained the picture of the King and Queen is hanging on her wall where she can see it when she comes and goes from her room. She told Linda, one of the staff members that she says good morning to them every morning as she goes by.

Linda asked her if they said good morning back and with a twinkle in her eye she answered, “No they just smile.”

“She is a hoot,” said Conklin. “She received a birthday card from her sister in Australia a week early. She didn't want to have her picture taken holding up the card because it said Happy 100th and she said, “I am not 100 yet!” but then with that same twinkle added, “Couldn't she find one that said Happy 80th?”

She said her mom loves the Oxford Veterans Home and is a real sports enthusiast. She enjoys watching a lot of football and tennis. She also plays cards, does FaceTime, is on Facebook, and takes walks.

Conklin said her mom was born in England into a happy household, was the oldest of ten children, and said it was really quite noisy.

While in her teens, she worked in Burslem where Royal Doulton pottery was made. The year she turned 17, during World War II, she enlisted in the Royal Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF).

Conklin said she was proud to be a veteran and enjoyed her job responsibilities which included processing new servicemen entering the British Air Force. Eventually she was stationed in Manchester, England where she met her husband to be- Ballard Miller, from New Berlin, NY. They soon married.

Ballard went back to the states due to his position with the United States Army and they continued to move him to various locations. During the couples separations, many love letters were written back and forth and are still stored in one shoebox. They are called the “shoebox letters”.

Finally the United States provided a ship for all of the war brides and that is how she came to the United States.

“Her mind is sharp as a tack and she still remembers all of World War II,” said Conklin.

They started their stateside life in New Berlin and moved many times. Ohio, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Norwich, to name a few. The Millers eventually had seven children, four girls and three boys and over the years invited many friends to their home.

Conklin said the family has expanded to include 15 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. She said her mom became a widow when their dad passed in 1997.

She said her mom was eligible to live in the NYS Veterans Home in Oxford because of her husband's military service. In January 2020, she moved in and it became her home. The family is very thankful for the Veterans Home and the care their mother receives.

The New York State Veterans Home is a skilled nursing facility with licensed capacity to care for 242 residents, comprised of veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents.