Homeopathy 2007; 96(01): 69-70
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2006.11.007
Obituary
Copyright © The Faculty of Homeopathy 2006

Joyce Miller

5 June 1925–4 October 2006
Michael Finnegan
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
27 December 2017 (online)

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Joyce Miller died suddenly, a pedestrian in a road traffic accident in Baker Street, on 4 October 2006. She had achieved 50 years in medical practice, working right up to the time of her death. She worked in Harley Street and lived nearby. She had created a successful and appreciative practice, built on homeopathy, anthroposphical medicine and osteopathy. She was a sought-after lecturer in osteopathy and chiropractic. She was unmarried and her life was devoted to medicine.

Joyce was brought up in Pinner, Middlesex. During the Second World War the family moved to Weybridge where her father's work had relocated. Later while studying homeopathy she was in practice in Addlestone before moving to London. As a child, she had been hospitalized with measles; while a patient she is reported to have quietly observed the activity of nurses, doctors and patients in the unit. On discharge home she formally announced to her family, who were not medical, that she was going to become a homeopathic doctor. This methodology of observation and quiet determination seems to have moulded for her life.

She received her medical education at Aberdeen medical school between 1945–51. During the 1980s she worked in the outpatient department at the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital. She is remembered as quietly working long into the evenings to help busy working patients. She would discuss patients with colleagues, enlisting help, taking noting any useful tips, therapeutic ideas or names of expert colleagues and the clinical interests of others. She contributed from her experience in anthroposophical medicine and osteopathy.

She continued looking for new ideas, attending conferences and continuing medical education, right to the end of her life. She was a member of the Christian anthropsophical community in Chiswick. She practised and promoted eurythmy. She had learnt karate. She was about to embark on a painting course to augment her work with children, before her tragic death.

I am grateful to Joyce's sister Jean Goold, Peter van Breede and Suzanna Curry for help with this obituary.