Jean Ann Miller Palumbo

Jean Ann Miller Palumbo, 71, of Phoenix passed away peacefully on March 28, 2026 with the comfort of family and on her terms.

Jean Ann Miller was born in West Carrollton, OH to proud parents Howard and Patricia Wick Miller. She and her younger sister Kim share fond memories growing up on Carnation Road. Jean talked often about Girl Scouts with their mom Patty as pack leader, cheering on the Pirates as a member of the Carrolltones dance team and her pride in serving as her high school’s yearbook editor. She graduated from West Carrollton High School and was the first in her family to attend college. She headed across the border to Morehead State University in Kentucky where she became a proud Chi Omega.

Jean majored in computer science and business at Morehead, and worked for years in computer programming at American Express. Jean also taught computers at St. Mary High School, and later worked as the admissions director for St. Francis Xavier Elementary School. Many will remember her yellow Volkswagen Beetle in her years as the “Basket Bug” and Longaberger sales consultant. She was a jack of many trades but somehow master of them all.

Jean met her husband, Michael R. (Mike) Palumbo, shortly after she moved to Phoenix. They were married in 1982 and kicked off a nearly 45-year journey of marriage and raised two children, Katie and Anthony. Jean was the ultimate trip planner, the tireless road tripper, the experience creator. She gave back in whatever sphere she was in: writing passionate opinion articles about school funding, making soccer banners and sewing school costumes, helping publish young writers’ first school magazines. Even amidst her exhaustion and decades-long battle with Lupus, she had time and energy for more.

Jean was a force. Her strong will powered a big heart, most clearly seen through the love she showered on the lucky dogs in her life. She was focused in the last decade of her life preserving the traditions and memories she held so dear, including family trees, recipes, and artifacts. Her gifts of sewing and quilting live on in baby blankets all over the country. Her laugh echoes through so many of our lives. She leaves behind an inimitable legacy of generosity and impossible shoes to fill.

Jean is reunited in death with her beloved parents and brother-in-law Tony Palumbo (Anna Marie). She is survived by her husband Mike, her sister Kim Miller Villella and brother-in-law Jim “Bubba”, her children Katie (Tim) and Anthony, and “her boys”, grandsons Danny and Michael. She will be missed by her cousins, nephews, and many friends and loved ones.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jean’s memory to The Lupus Foundation or Arizona Poodle Rescue are greatly appreciated. A Celebration of Life will be held at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ on Thursday, April 2, 2026 with a Visitation at 4:30pm and a Memorial Service at 5:30pm, reception to follow. Internment is private.