Margaret "Maggie" Scherer Miles

Margaret Carolyn Scherer Miles was born in Richmond, VA on November 10, 1956, the third child of Dr. Robert Irving Miles and Katherine Elizabeth Scherer Miles. She attended Henrico High School where she was an excellent student and an accomplished athlete, lettering in both tennis and basketball. She continued to play basketball at Davidson College where she was a member of the third class to include women. She graduated from Davidson in 1979 with a BA in English.

At Davidson, Maggie fell in love with poetry and travel. She spent a summer in Ireland studying the poetry of WB Yeats. After graduation she moved to Spain and taught English. Though she knew only minimal Spanish when she first moved there, by the time she left, five years later, Maggie was fluent in Spanish and experienced as a teacher.

Soon after her return from Spain, Maggie met Ned Breschel. They grew up a mile from each other but had never met until July of 1989 at a party given by friends in New York. Maggie and Ned became inseparable, eventually moving to Durham, NC together and later to Morehead, KY. During this time, Maggie was writing poetry and Ned was apparently her muse. She won the Virginia Prize in poetry for her poem “Midnight Waltz at Bill’s Barbecue.”

Maggie’s health challenges led her to study the Feldenkrais Method and after years of rigorous study she became a certified Feldenkrais practitioner. Throughout her time in Morehead, Maggie offered healing workshops to the community.

Maggie responded to her health challenges by literally ‘digging in.’ After getting a grant to collect stories about heirloom seeds, she decided to start planting the seeds and see what happened. She became a farmer, supporting the community through growing healthy food.

When that was no longer possible, Maggie began crafting unique and beautiful wire wrapped jewelry, which she sold at the Rowan County Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair and at private showings. Her desire to keep learning and growing never ceased despite physical limitations. She was in the process of writing a book and planning a podcast when she entered the hospital in late May. She died on June 10, 2026.

No matter the hurdles she faced over so many years, she continued to exude boundless optimism and resilience. During all these challenges, Ned was beside Maggie, supporting her, caring for her, and creating a meaningful life together.

Even in her final days, Maggie was always smiling, laughing, asking how others were doing.

Maggie is survived by her husband, Ned Breschel; brothers, Robert and William Miles; sister, Elizabeth Miles; many nephews, nieces, grand nephews and nieces; and a host of dear friends.

A memorial service for Maggie will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Memorial Chapel (400 Fraley Drive, Morehead, KY 40351) with Pastor Nancy Gowler officiating. The service will be live-streamed at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals Facebook page beginning at 6 p.m. Visitation is immediately before the memorial service from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Maggie cared about many issues. So in lieu of flowers those who would like to honor Maggie may contribute to a worthy cause of their choice.

View memorial tribute or sign online guestbook at www.northcuttandson.com