Miriam Grace Bode, Class of 1951
Miriam Grace Bode, 91, of Davidson, NC passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 11, 2021. Miriam was born in Pittsburgh, PA on June 16, 1929 to the late Fred & Katherine Bode. Mim joined the family that would eventually have 5 children-3 boys & 2 girls. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings Lloyd, Dana, Mary Anna, & Fred. Miriam is survived by a host of beloved nieces & nephews, their families, & a treasure trove of great friends. Miriam received her Bachelor's degree in education from Muskingum College in Ohio & earned her Masters in education from the University of Pittsburgh. She taught English & French at Baldwin High School until her retirement in 1986. Mim loved to travel early on. She took student trips to France many summers & made her way to Egypt, Iran, & Lebanon with her nephews. She especially liked travelling in the states & driving all over to visit friends & relatives where she was always welcomed. Cross country road trips in a VW bug were not unheard of for adventure & family time. Trips with nieces & friends to the Canadian border to see Niagara Falls was a great way to spend a summer. Mim was a baker of cookies & a maker of chocolates. She would make each person's favorites for Christmas presents but would make dozens more for church bake sales or other fundraisers throughout the year. Mim was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Crafton Heights where she was an ordained elder, Sunday school teacher, & church treasurer. In the early 90s she helped start KingdomCome, Inc. with the goal of establishing an outlet for fair trade goods in Pittsburgh. Miriam was one of the original incorporators, and served as the founding treasurer of that board. After moving to North Carolina, she joined the Davidson College Presbyterian Church. She was an important presence in so many of our lives from being a second mother figure to family & friends to being a surrogate grandmother to many more. She was a great listener, a confidant, a best friend. She was a gift to the world & we will miss her so much.