Lauren Jill Miner
Eureka, Calif.
February 4, 1963 – June 7, 2025

Lauren Jill Miner, 62, of Eureka, passed away in her home on June 7, 2025 after a long battle with chronic illness.

Lauren was born at General Hospital in Eureka on February 4, 1963 to Richard “Bruce” and Shirley J. Miner. Lauren attended primary and secondary schools in Eureka, graduating from Eureka High School in 1981, and eventually earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from California State University Humboldt. During her school years Lauren developed a love of music and theater, performing on woodwinds in various ensembles during the 1980s and 1990s.

Since her teen years, Lauren was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Eureka. She found a love for singing and became a regular member of her church choir, adding her robust voice to the tenor section. This experience led to her association with the California Redwoods Chorale, a community mixed chorus that made several concert tours abroad. Like her mother Shirley she was an active member of community service organizations, including PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization), which provides scholarship opportunities for women entering college or continuing their education later in life.

Lauren’s professional life varied over the years: she sold residential flooring in Sacramento, and seafood at WinCo in Eureka, but was most fulfilled later in life after going back to Cal Poly Humboldt and earning a teaching credential. She spent the latter years of her working life as a substitute teacher and Speech Therapy facilitator for Eureka City Schools.

Lauren is preceded in death by her mother, Shirley Jean Miner of Eureka, and her longtime partner and love of her life, Tony Smith of Ashland, Oregon. She is survived by her father, Richard Bruce Miner, her brother, Douglas (Rhonda) of Bremerton, WA; nephews, Andrew and Ryan Miner of Bremerton, Wash.; niece Jessica Lynn Nourouzee (Easa) and grand-nephews Simon and Elton Nourouzee of Lisbon, Portugal. She is also survived by cousin Lynn (Ernie, deceased) Schorno of Carmichael, Calif.

The family sends heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all the wonderful friends, neighbors and fellow members of her church family who helped Lauren over the past several years. A celebration of Lauren’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church 819 15th St. Eureka, on August 23 at 1 p.m.

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