Tatiana Kireiev Miller
On a beautiful Spring Day on May 26, 1984, the world became brighter when Margaret and Robert Kireiev welcomed baby Tatiana Nadiejda Kireiev into their loving arms. Her sweet smile and gentile spirit captivated their hearts and filled their lives for many years to come. From early childhood, Tatiana had a charming, vivacious, and free spirit that continued throughout her existence. She had a mind of her own, passionate opinions, and a drive to accomplish as much as she could in this lifetime. She lived every single day to the fullest in a fast-paced manner, full of passion, creativity, and excitement. Although her life was cut short, she accomplished many outstanding things as if she were living numerous lives in one lifetime.
As a child, Tatiana dabbled in many different hobbies and activities. She enjoyed playing the flute, baseball, volleyball and especially loved bonding with her dad, Robert, over earning all of her belts in taekwondo. Tatiana loved animals and had such as special connection with them. She rode horses as a child and was passionate about rescuing numerous animals that would fill the households for years to come. She particularly loved cats and is survived by her favorite cat, “Tink” who is enjoying her elderly years in retirement with Tatiana’s parents. Tink is healthy and very active at 17 years old and spirited with the exact vivacious nature as Tatiana. Tatiana had such a magnetic pull towards animals that when she was a child, walking home from school, a neighbor’s pet goat followed her home.
Tatiana attended and graduated from Rowland Hall and continued her education by obtaining a Double Major Bachelor of Arts in communications and psychology from Luther College. She was recognized for her numerous academic achievements during her undergraduate career. She graduated with a 4.0 at the top of her class and was inducted into Psi Chi and Alpha Beta Kappa honors societies. She was also the recipient of the Prus Presidential Academic Scholarship. Education was a top priority and was very important to Tatiana. She pursued her Master of Science degree in Organizational Communication from the University of Utah. Her master’s thesis involved helping the Utah homeless community, and she dedicated numerous hours volunteering at the shelters. Tatiana planned to return to the University of Utah to pursue a Ph.D. before her life was cut short.
Tatiana was a natural leader and business strategist. Her professional pursuits began when she was the Executive Director of the non-profit organization, Ten Thousand Villages. She loved learning more about the fantastic cultures involved in the non-profit and later obtained a degree from the Academy for non-profit excellence and a certification in non-profit leadership transitions during her graduate career at the University of Utah. Around this time, she married her ex-husband, Jeffrey Mark Miller and then transitioned from Ten Thousand Villages to working at Mark Miller Subaru. She enjoyed her time working at Subaru and developed a deep passion for the car dealership industry, especially the philanthropic nature of Subaru. Towards the end of her career at Mark Miller Subaru became the controller of Mark Miller Subaru Southtowne. Following her time at Subaru, she grew her career in the direction leadership by becoming the director of enrollment for the Professional Development Academy as well as founded and operated a professional business consulting company.
Tatiana was recognized for her extraordinary philanthropic efforts and activism in the community. For a period during her lifetime, she was on the Board for YWCA USA, the Vice Chair of the Board for Special Olympics, the Founding President of the Young Leadership Board for Ronald McDonald House, the logistics chair for the American Cancer Society, and on the board of directors for the Children’s Center of Utah.
Tatiana brought in two incredible children to the world with her ex-husband Jeff Miller. Natalie, Margaret Miller (11) and Miles Jeffrey Miller (9). She adored her children and devoted as much time as possible to them during her short life. Tatiana named Natalie after her beloved maternal grandmother Natalia Dimitroff and her mother Margaret Kireiev. Tatiana shared a deep connection with her baba, Natalia, and we know she is now with her in heaven. Although Tatiana was taken too soon, her spirit will live on and watch over her children for the entirety of their lives. Her children were the absolute apples of her eye. Tatiana was notoriously known for creating endless nicknames for her loved ones, especially for her children. She loved referring to her daughter Natalie as Gobby and Miles as Jo. She let her creative energy flow through her amazing cooking, decorating, and event planning for their birthdays and holidays. She poured her heart and soul into them with the little time she had on this earth.
During her last years on earth, she struggled with serious mental health issues, which resulted in her divorce from her ex-husband Jeffrey Miller amongst a few various events that caused complications to her condition. Despite her experiences, she maintained her resilience, kept her head up and stayed as strong as possible for her children. She devoted as much time, energy, and love to them as she could with the ample amount of time she could and with the best she could, due to her unfortunate mental health conditions. She will always be with her children in spirit.
Tatiana Nadiejda Kireiev-Miller was called home to God, unexpectedly, on the evening of February 11, 2023. That evening, the world that was once illuminated by her presence became darker. It has been felt by many of her light and spirit departing from earth. She is now spending her eternal afterlife with her beloved maternal and paternal baba and djeda, as well as her dear childhood pets. Tatiana had a special bond with her baba, Natalia, and we know they have been reunited once again. She is survived by her two children Natalie Miller and Miles Miller, her father Robert Kireiev, her mother Margaret Kireiev, her sisters Katherine Kireiev, Vasilisa Kireiev, Nadia Kireiev, and her niece Lauren Maxfield. She is also survived by her Aunt Elizabeth Ferri, Uncle Al Ferri, her first cousins Heather and Robbie and her second cousins Lilly, Ryan and Nico. She will be deeply missed by many, and her memory will forever be eternal.
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