Gendie Miller, a 49-year-old woman from Pennsylvania, tragically lost her life after being struck by a falling tree branch while attending her teenage daughter’s softball tournament.
The incident occurred on Thursday, July 24, at Renziehausen Park, where Gendie was watching her 16-year-old daughter Marlee participate in the Western PA College Showcase—a key event in front of college scouts. Gendie had taken shelter from the sun under a tall tree alongside her husband, Bill Miller, when the unthinkable happened.
According to Bill, he heard a sudden loud cracking noise and urged his wife to move. “I told my wife, ‘Let’s go,’” he recalled. “I jumped up, felt a small branch brush past my leg, and when I turned, she was face down, buried beneath large limbs.”
Bystanders rushed to help remove the debris, but the injuries were severe. Emergency responders transported Gendie to Forbes Hospital Trauma Center in Monroeville, but she stopped breathing en route and was pronounced dead upon arrival.
“This was incredibly traumatic,” Bill said. “Given the weight of the branch, the outcome was devastating. She didn’t die of heart failure—her heart was too big.”
In the aftermath, Marlee’s coach, Michael Mull, launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the Miller family through the tragedy. As of the latest update, over $51,000 has been raised to help cover medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost income.
“While no amount of money can replace Gendie, this support eases the burden for Bill and Marlee during this unimaginable time,” the fundraiser stated.
Gendie is remembered as a loving wife, mother, and friend. Her sudden passing has left a deep void in her community and in the hearts of those who knew her.
