WILMINGTON — Sydney Jo Miller, 23, left this earth to dance among the angels Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017. Sydney was our firecracker baby, born July 4, 1994, at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia.
Sydney attended Codington Elementary, Myrtle Grove Middle and Hoggard High schools in New Hanover County. She completed high school early, and graduated in December 2011 from Keystone High School in Pennsylvania to pursue her dance career.
Sydney was a free spirit and always the light of any room she entered; she was fearless, giving and trusting. Many of her friends and family can recall funny stories of Sydney’s trusting nature and adventurous ways. She loved children and animals, and they were drawn to her sweet disposition and caring nature. She was chosen as a “buddy” to Exceptional children at school and made a lifelong friend in a special young lady through this program.
Sydney was an accomplished dancer and performer. Just as she lived her life, her peers can recall she always danced “full out” and gave it her all. Her funny “performance” faces brought joy to anyone who watched her rehearse or dance on stage.
During her training in Wilmington, she studied her craft under talented mentors Mary Beth Henderson, Candy Johnson, Sami Winter, Mira Fox Lamendola, Elissa Edwards, Kim McGee, Debra Baile, Cory Smith and John Casey. She was signed at the young age of 17 by Clear Talent Agency in Los Angeles, and was then a “Vegas Week” semifinalist on “So You Think You Can Dance” at the age of 18.
She was a fierce competitor and performer, competing in numerous competitions, national dance conventions, and spent a summer studying formal ballet with the American Ballet Theater. Her love of performing had taken Sydney around the world, performing as a professional dancer and aerialist for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
By the age of 17, she was also sharing her love of dance by mentoring and teaching young performers at various studios in Wilmington and Carolina Beach. She loved these children, and remained in close contact with former students during her travels abroad over the years. Her “Mini me” and “Doodle” always remained close to her heart.
Her younger brother, Austin, had always been her best friend, biggest supporter, and her pride and joy. Austin, and their sister, Tara, attended every dance competition, always providing the loudest cheers and letting everyone know that was his sister on the stage. She would speak of his fine attributes and accomplishments to her many friends, family members and anyone within earshot.
Left to honor her loving memory are her parents, John and Sue Miller; loving brother, Austin Miller; and sister, Tara Washburn of Wilmington, N.C.; paternal grandmother, Josephine Miller of Oil City, Penn.; maternal grandmother, Hong Ja May, and her husband, Lawrence, of Augusta, Ga.; uncles, David, Ray, Jim, Dave and Moo; aunts Susie, “Titi,” “Mimi,” and Patti; and cousins, Erin, Ashley, Jimmy and Shannon. Her vivacious spirit will continue to live on through her family as well as the lives of her extended family of close, loving friends from every walk of life.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by family friend and artist, Kristen Crouch, and Quinn McGowen Funeral Home, Wilmington. A celebration of Sydney’s life will be held at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 2, at Saint Thomas Preservation Hall, 208 Dock St., downtown Wilmington. Doors to Saint Thomas, built in 1847 as Wilmington’s first Catholic Church, will open for the ceremony at 5:45 p.m.
Fiore Fine Florists in Wilmington will be providing floral arrangements for the service. Please contact them regarding any additional floral arrangements you would like to send. In lieu of flowers, donations may also be made in Sydney’s name to Adopt an Angel, or any animal charity of your choice.
Share online condolences with the family at quinnmcgowen.com.
