CFA student dies in California
Memorial service for Juliane Miller to be held Saturday
College of Fine Arts student Juliane Miller (CFA’08) died August 31 at the Sherman Oaks Hospital in Sherman Oaks, Calif., reportedly of a heart attack and intercranial bleeding. She was 20.
Miller, who would have been a junior this year, had a strong community of friends, to whom she was known as “Jewels.”
“Jewels was a sister to me these past three years,” says Andie Adelman (COM’08). “She was one of the most alive people you could ever meet, filled with energy and a love of life. She was a true artist in that she appreciated all forms of expression — especially regarding theater, her major — and was always really supportive of everything and anything her friends did. She loved people and people loved her. She could make anyone laugh.”
Jim Petosa, director of the CFA school of theatre, says that he admired the potential he saw in Miller.
“Julianne was just beginning to understand how to take her creativity and apply it to the processes of a working artist,” says Petosa. “We will miss her and all of that promise.”
Walt Meissner, CFA dean ad interim, says Miller’s passing stunned the school. “Words cannot express, nor adequately comfort, the sense of loss we all feel,” he says. “Jewels was a talented, wonderful spirit.”
Miller’s friends have been posting remembrances on her Facebook account.
“I became friends with Jewels last year,” writes Nikki Vidler (COM’08), “and instantly we became really close. She is one of my best friends, and will always be a part of me. I would describe her as incredibly driven — she worked so hard for everything she had accomplished, in school, work, performances. She was a dedicated friend who would go out of her way to make your day a little better.”
Vidler praises Miller’s ability to make light of even the most stressful situations. “She made me laugh,” Vidler says. “She made us all laugh, with her quick humor. She loved life and had a good grip on what she wanted to do after college. I still am having a hard time grasping this all.”
A memorial service for Juliane Miller will be held from noon to 4 p.m. this Saturday, September 9, in the Community Room of Dexter Park, at 185 Freeman St., Brookline.