(Nee Miller)  Of Wauwatosa.  Passed peacefully into eternal sleep at age 67, at her home in Wauwatosa, surrounded by family, on Monday, July 26, 2021 after a remarkable three-year 8-month fight against fourth stage metastatic pancreatic cancer.

She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 18, 1953 to Ray T. Miller and Eileen Bernier. She is survived by her husband William G. Braier whom she met 21 years ago, her first husband Frank Knoll with whom she raised three boys, Phillip Knoll, Timothy Knoll (Megan and grandbaby Nikki), and Steven Knoll (Jenn Wallace), her brothers Ray Miller (Lou Marek), Mike Miller (Colleen), Geoff Miller, and her two sisters Sharon Grahame (Randy) and Barbara Miller. She also leaves behind many nephews and nieces.

She graduated with a Master’s in social work from the University of Illinois. She made a difference in so many lives, fostering newborn pre-adoptive infants, as a social worker in the Chicago area for twenty-four years, and for twenty years teaching psychology at South Milwaukee High School and to future teachers at MATC. Kathy treasured her boys, her husband, family and friends. Kathy’s positive outlook was an inspiration to all who met her.

She was determined to live with cancer, not die from it. She loved socializing, book club, cooking, kayaking, skating, cross country skiing, biking, tennis, gardening, traveling, community activism, and volunteering. She also had a blog of her cancer journey, called “Living My Life in Ten Days!” Kathy was authentic, real and a light in all of our lives.

Visitation will be held on Friday August 6, 2021 at the Funeral Home from 4:30 PM until the time of Vigil Service at 7:30 PM.  Additional visitation will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at Wauwatosa United Methodist Church, 1529 Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa from 9 AM until the time of Memorial Mass at 10 AM. Burial to follow at Holy Cross cemetery.  NOTE: In keeping with Kathy’s wishes and positive attitude, she asked that everyone wear bright colored casual clothing at the visitation and the funeral mass. She wants to see a garden of colors to celebrate her positive amazing life.