I remember Sarah as being tirelessly devoted to all environmental causes, but especially those related to the Great Lakes. Sarah was a critical member of the CELA team by working on many files and contributing to so many aspects of CELA. She left a large gap after retiring, but continued to follow environmental issues. The loss of Sarah is a loss for us all – from the CELA community to all people who benefit from clean water and a healthy environment.
– Miriam Diamond, CELA board member
I first met Sarah Miller in the 1980s and from the start she impressed me with her passion and deep commitment to environmental issues, especially those in the Great Lakes. I remember her always being so organized, so well prepared, always with the necessary information at her fingertips. Although she could sometimes seem stern, you didn’t have to know her very long to see that behind her gruff exterior lay a generous heart and a sweet disposition. She taught me so much over the years and I know she touched every part of CELA and everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed.
– Isobel Heathcote, CELA board member
Sarah was for many years the heart and soul of CELA. Her formal title as “Coordinator and Researcher” does not begin to capture her contributions to the clinic. She championed numerous law reform projects, including Great Lakes restoration, cancer prevention and toxics reduction. Beyond her commitment to environmental protection, I remember her fondly for her generosity and acts of kindness. She had a wonderful personal touch and made you feel special. She organized baby showers for both my children at her home at Ward’s Island. Sarah infused CELA with warmth, humour and energy and will be greatly missed.
– Ramani Nadarajah, CELA staff member
Sarah was a treasure. A mentor, colleague and friend with whom I was honoured to share the trenches of environmental law over many decades. Sarah was a pioneer. She championed the Great Lakes back in the “good old” days when some areas were so polluted they were routinely deemed fire hazards! Things are a lot better now thanks to folks like Sarah and her tireless efforts in service of the environment. Sarah was a tremendous asset to CELA internally through her management role, and externally through her community outreach work. Mostly, though, she was a kindred spirit,and a pal. Rest in peace, Sarah, we miss you. My sincere condolences to Sarah’s family
– Graham Rempe, CELA board member
Sarah was passionate about environmental protection. For me, she epitomized the true spirit of CELA. Loyal to a fault, she was a force – smart as a whip, hard-working and always well informed. She spoke her mind. Like an energetic mama bear, Sarah kept the office together, and was protective of our staff. I recall Irene, an old friend who was CELA’s office cleaner for several years, saying that Sarah was the best employer ever.
Sarah joined CELA’s staff sometime in the 1970s. In her inimitable style she had her finger on everything that moved in the organization, particularly office management but also many client files. As staff came and left, she was the constant. Sarah participated directly in advocacy work, too – Great Lakes United (GLU) comes to mind. From time to time I heard her interviewed on radio regarding environmental issues, and saw her name in newspapers.
She seemed serious, even intense, most of the time, but occasionally light hearted; direct, intimidating occasionally but sweet and warm as can be sometimes. A fond friend of Sarah wrote to me that she “did many wonderful things for the world for an old grump.” Wonderful indeed.
When she finally retired from CELA after decades of service, there was a large gathering under a big white tent on Ward’s Island, where she lived for ages in a tiny cottage. People from all reaches of the environmental movement and government came to laud her. It was a grand party and she seemed delighted. Sadly, Sarah declined steadily over the past few years. I last visited her in hospital and enjoyed strolling down environmental (and CELA) memory lane with her.
She touched all who worked with her – a truly unforgettable soul. And the world needs Sarah now more than ever.
– Alan D. Levy, CELA board member
Click here to read a tribute from Paul Muldoon, former CELA Executive Director.
Click here to read a tribute from John Jackson, CELA board member and Great Lakes activist.
Click here to read remarks delivered by Theresa McClenaghan at Sarah’s Celebration of Life.
In Memoriam: Sarah Miller
In Memoriam: Sarah Miller (May 19, 1944 - June 2, 2025)
The staff and board members of CELA learned with deep sadness of the passing of Sarah Miller, a remarkable and passionate activist who dedicated her life to environmental advocacy and the well-being of her community. Sarah lived a life truly on her own terms, leaving an enduring legacy in both her professional and personal realms.
Sarah Miller was a coordinator and researcher with CELA for over 25 years. During her time with CELA, she worked tirelessly on toxics reduction, cancer prevention and Great Lakes protection. She was instrumental in the creation of the Great Lakes Compact and pushed for for binational review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Sarah also advocated for Toronto’s ChemTrac program and Ontario’s Toxics Reduction Act. Her dedication to ensuring hazardous materials were not dumped into the Great Lakes during Toronto’s demolition efforts led to her work on developing clean fill guidelines. Her role in the Walkerton Inquiry and her early work in establishing CELA as a legal aid clinic were pivotal.
In addition to her time at CELA, Sarah was a former board member and vice president of Great Lakes United, was actively involved in the Lake Ontario Outfall Network (LOON) and contributed to the development of the Citizens’ Agenda for the Restoration of Lake Ontario.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sarah was known for her generosity and warmth. Meetings at CELA were always accompanied by snacks and goodies, including her famous pistachio cake. Sarah was a generous mentor, always eager to introduce staff to other environmental advocates and to advance their work. While she could come across as stern and reserved, those who knew her well recognized her kindness and dry humor. She was meticulous and organized, like a “Martha Stewart-ish” figure ensuring everything was just so. There was a hidden whimsy in her, like her hand-drawn map of Toronto Island with quirky notes. She had a lunch routine of simple sandwiches and chips, yet knew all the best dining spots around the city. Her directness and honesty were balanced by a sweet and warm side, and she was fiercely protective of her staff, like an “energetic mama bear.”
Sarah received numerous awards for her work, including a Gem award from Legal Aid Ontario and a Public Health Champion Award from the City of Toronto in 2016. Her dedication to environmental causes, especially those related to the Great Lakes, was unwavering. As Alan Levy noted, “She was a force – smart as a whip, hard-working and always well-informed. She spoke her mind.” Ramani noted that Sarah was the “heart and soul of CELA,” and Miriam remembered her as a critical member of the team who left a large gap after retiring.
Sarah’s passing is a profound loss for her family, her many friends, and the entire environmental community that benefited from her tireless efforts. She was, as Graham described, “a treasure, a mentor, colleague and friend,” and “a kindred spirit.” Sarah will be dearly missed and we will forever be grateful for her dedication and passion.
Click here to read a beautiful series of tributes assembled by Sarah’s friends and colleagues from her three decades as a Great Lakes activist.
A Sampling of Memories and Recollections...
I remember Sarah as being tirelessly devoted to all environmental causes, but especially those related to the Great Lakes. Sarah was a critical member of the CELA team by working on many files and contributing to so many aspects of CELA. She left a large gap after retiring, but continued to follow environmental issues. The loss of Sarah is a loss for us all – from the CELA community to all people who benefit from clean water and a healthy environment.
– Miriam Diamond, CELA board member
I first met Sarah Miller in the 1980s and from the start she impressed me with her passion and deep commitment to environmental issues, especially those in the Great Lakes. I remember her always being so organized, so well prepared, always with the necessary information at her fingertips. Although she could sometimes seem stern, you didn’t have to know her very long to see that behind her gruff exterior lay a generous heart and a sweet disposition. She taught me so much over the years and I know she touched every part of CELA and everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed.
– Isobel Heathcote, CELA board member
Sarah was for many years the heart and soul of CELA. Her formal title as “Coordinator and Researcher” does not begin to capture her contributions to the clinic. She championed numerous law reform projects, including Great Lakes restoration, cancer prevention and toxics reduction. Beyond her commitment to environmental protection, I remember her fondly for her generosity and acts of kindness. She had a wonderful personal touch and made you feel special. She organized baby showers for both my children at her home at Ward’s Island. Sarah infused CELA with warmth, humour and energy and will be greatly missed.
– Ramani Nadarajah, CELA staff member
Sarah was a treasure. A mentor, colleague and friend with whom I was honoured to share the trenches of environmental law over many decades. Sarah was a pioneer. She championed the Great Lakes back in the “good old” days when some areas were so polluted they were routinely deemed fire hazards! Things are a lot better now thanks to folks like Sarah and her tireless efforts in service of the environment. Sarah was a tremendous asset to CELA internally through her management role, and externally through her community outreach work. Mostly, though, she was a kindred spirit,and a pal. Rest in peace, Sarah, we miss you. My sincere condolences to Sarah’s family
– Graham Rempe, CELA board member
Sarah was passionate about environmental protection. For me, she epitomized the true spirit of CELA. Loyal to a fault, she was a force – smart as a whip, hard-working and always well informed. She spoke her mind. Like an energetic mama bear, Sarah kept the office together, and was protective of our staff. I recall Irene, an old friend who was CELA’s office cleaner for several years, saying that Sarah was the best employer ever.
Sarah joined CELA’s staff sometime in the 1970s. In her inimitable style she had her finger on everything that moved in the organization, particularly office management but also many client files. As staff came and left, she was the constant. Sarah participated directly in advocacy work, too – Great Lakes United (GLU) comes to mind. From time to time I heard her interviewed on radio regarding environmental issues, and saw her name in newspapers.
She seemed serious, even intense, most of the time, but occasionally light hearted; direct, intimidating occasionally but sweet and warm as can be sometimes. A fond friend of Sarah wrote to me that she “did many wonderful things for the world for an old grump.” Wonderful indeed.
When she finally retired from CELA after decades of service, there was a large gathering under a big white tent on Ward’s Island, where she lived for ages in a tiny cottage. People from all reaches of the environmental movement and government came to laud her. It was a grand party and she seemed delighted. Sadly, Sarah declined steadily over the past few years. I last visited her in hospital and enjoyed strolling down environmental (and CELA) memory lane with her.
She touched all who worked with her – a truly unforgettable soul. And the world needs Sarah now more than ever.
– Alan D. Levy, CELA board member
Click here to read a tribute from Paul Muldoon, former CELA Executive Director.
Click here to read a tribute from John Jackson, CELA board member and Great Lakes activist.
Click here to read remarks delivered by Theresa McClenaghan at Sarah’s Celebration of Life.
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