MISSOULA — Just after a spectacular sunset on Sept. 26, 2018, Hope Hartigan Miller passed away peacefully at the age of 85. Hope was born on June 10, 1933; she grew up in Gardner, Massachusetts, and attended college at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where she met her lifetime companion Orson K. Miller, Jr. Hope and Orson were married in 1953 and they embarked on an adventurous life together. Orson's career as a mycologist and professor at Virginia Tech allowed Hope and Orson to travel the world studying mushrooms and meeting colleagues and friends. Notably, the couple spent multiple summers in the Alaskan backcountry and at the Flathead Lake Biological Station with their three daughters, Andrea, Annelise, and Ginny. Hope was more than just a devoted wife to Orson, she was his professional partner and not only did the couple co-author a field guide together, but Hope also published her own books including "Wild Edible Mushrooms." Hope was also a passionate community volunteer in both Blacksburg, Virginia, and in McCall, Idaho, where the couple had a second home for 50 years and eventually retired. Hope was active in organizations such as the Girl Scouts, PEO, Kappa Alpha Theta, Head Start, Meals on Wheels, and many more! In 2015, Hope moved to Missoula, Montana, to be closer to daughters Andrea and Ginny, but she continued to be involved with community organizations such as PEO. Hope also enjoyed baking and cooking (especially wild mushrooms), quilting and knitting, and spending time with her family.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Orson K. Miller, Jr. and sister Nancy Kulczyk. Hope is survived by daughters Andrea (Todd) Onken, Annelise (Ken) Mayer, Ginny (Jeff Beltz) Miller, and grandchildren Erin (Chad) Batten, Cory (Sidney) Mayer, Lindsy (Trey) Wiltshire, Logan (Jackie) Onken, and Brooke (Bradley Yliniemi) Vetter, and four great-grandchildren!