Muriel Rhoda Perlberg

Born in New York City, Muriel was bright and social, with an elegant eye for design that she carried throughout her life. Her biological father passed away before she was born, and her mother Rose married Sam Spiegel. Alongside her younger sister, the late Gloria Janowitz, Muriel grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from Madison High School.

At the age of 15, she first met the love of her life, William (Bill) Perlberg. They went steady, paused, and restarted, before one fateful day in the park in December ended with an unexpected marriage proposal. Muriel married her beloved “Will” on November 21, 1954, at Temple Ahavat Shalom in Brooklyn. Their marriage, which endured for 71 years, was full of passion, humor, and deep devotion.

Muriel was a proud mother to the late Mark Perlberg and to Elyssa Malakoff. Bill and Muriel built a life together and ultimately settled in New Jersey, where they lived for 35 years. In 2002, they moved to Florida and further honed their craft as enviably skilled Bridge partners.

Muriel was known among her friends and family for her deep interest in politics. She was informed, articulate, and never afraid to speak her mind on topics ranging from world affairs to home decoration to horticulture. She felt a profound responsibility to make the world a better place for the next generations.

Indeed, nothing brought Muriel greater joy than her family and her role as a grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her husband, Bill; her daughter, Elyssa Malakoff; her daughter-in-law, Diane Perlberg; six grandchildren, Matt Perlberg (Julie), Alison Wynn (David), Steven Perlberg (Rachel Coleman), Schuyler Malakoff, Aubrey Malakoff, and Teagan Malakoff; and five great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Sienna, Ethan, Lucas, and Max.