Cecil Lee (Miller) Temesghen was called home by God and escorted by His angels on February 23, 2022. Cecil
was born September 15, 1948 to the late Charles and Yvonne (Johnson) Miller in Mount Vernon, New York.
Cecil was the youngest of this union. Her sister Arter Yvonne (Miller) Figueroa predeceased her in September
of 2019. Cecil transitioned into eternal rest peacefully in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey after a long-term illness
and now joins her beloved parents and sister in heaven.
Cecil’s educational journey started at Saint Gabriel’s High School in New Rochelle, New York where she
graduated in 1966. After her high school graduation, Cecil attended Mary Manse College in Toledo, Ohio
where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry in 1972. She continued her
education at Howard University in Washington, DC where she received her Masters of Social Work degree in
1980. While attending Howard University, with her primary emphasis on Community Mental Health, Cecil
made the National Deans List from 1978 to 1980.
Since high school, Cecil was always interested in the welfare and empowerment of others. With her caring
attitude and giving heart, it was no surprise that Cecil chose a career in Social Work. She began her career in
this field as a professional Social Worker Intern in Pediatric Outpatient Psychiatry at John Hopkins Hospital in
Baltimore, Maryland. Also, she worked at the JF Kennedy Institute for the handicapped, as a Case Manager.
Cecil moved on to become a Program Coordinator for Sickle Cell Anemia at Baltimore Hospital where she
provided case management to sickle cell anemia patients, trained hospital staff and the community. Continuing
on with her career, Cecil then decided to accept a position at Abbot House Child Care Agency in Dobbs Ferry,
New York, as a Coordinator of Psychological and Social Services and also as a Consultant for Family Service.
Cecil’s dedication to continue to better the emotional health and wellbeing of others led her to work at The
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, as a Mental Health Clinician. Prior to retirement, Cecil
accepted a position as a School Social Worker with the East Orange School District in 2001, which afforded
her the opportunity to provide services to the community at large. Her goal was making sure all people who
she encountered knew their self-worth. Cecil found her niche while working as a School Social Worker with
young children. The last school in the East Orange School District in which she worked, until she retired in
2014, was Sojourner Truth Middle School.
Cecil’s care, concern, dedication for and to others was absolutely commendable. She was a woman of integrity
who was genuinely kind, compassionate and loved by so many. Her mission was to always help and serve
others, which was a guiding principle she learned from her parents.
The last two years were very challenging for Cecil, since the passing of Arter. The bond between her and her
sister was unbreakable and the love was unconditional. When Arter transitioned, Cecil felt she lost a piece of
herself. They were like two peas in a pod.
Cecil leaves to cherish her memory, her brother-in-law Julio Figueroa, her siblings Walter Jones, Mary Jones,
Mathew Holt, Martha Holt and Lee Holt, dear friends Mary Johnson and Mamie Branch, and a host of other
relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial gift to either the National Scoliosis Foundation (NSF) or
the Plainfield-Brunswick NJ Chapter of the National Association of University Women (NAUW).