Obituary of Teresa Jo Burchfield

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Teresa Jo Miller Burchfield was born on February 10th, 1964 in Chicago Heights, IL to Vernon and Linda Miller. Terri was a compassionate, fun-loving, vibrant woman who exuded both sophistication and silliness. She studied industrial engineering at Stanford University when women in STEM were rare finds. She excelled in her careers in investment banking, politics, technology, and real estate, and also devoted her time to several philanthropic pursuits. Her eye for aesthetic appeal was unmatched, as was her impeccable attention to detail. Though she had a high-powered professional life, her friends and family never doubted that they were her priority. She found joy in small things that would otherwise go unnoticed, but when she started to laugh, everyone around her would too. Her Suess-like poems for Capital Speakers Club included both heartfelt commentaries on her experience in Germany when the Berlin Wall fell and humorous insights into her daily life. She was a wonderful friend to have in difficult times, as she gave advice without criticism. She was discerning as to whether someone needed guidance or just a fun distraction. She provided both with incredible grace and compassion. 

Terri was friends with people from all corners of her life, from her bosses to people she supervised, from neighbors to those she met abroad, and from young to old. She went out of her way for those she cared about, and sought to reach out on a regular basis to old and new friends alike. She had a keen eye for things that provided sentimental value–she loved sending letters and keepsakes. She had a way of making people feel special, in no small part because she had a knack for giving nicknames to almost everyone, especially her dogs (and multiple at that). She was the person who, whether she was in a ballroom or a small private gathering, everyone would gravitate toward – not because she liked boasting about her accomplishments, but because of her worldliness and her talent of highlighting the strengths in people. 

Terri will be dearly missed by her daughter, Taylor Burchfield, her sisters Tamara Miller Hoogestraat (Dale), Stephanie Miller Oien (Shane), and Deborah Miller Phillips (MacKenzie), her many nieces and nephews, her mom, Linda Skie Miller, and her many friends. Her light shined bright in all of our lives, and our lives are forever enlightened by her warmth, cleverness, and humor. 

Memorial contributions may be made to: To Write Love on Her Arms  twloha.com/donate/