Muriel J. Wiggers

She survived World War II as a child and teenager in London. Throughout her life, as well as in her last moments battling cancer, the perseverance she learned as a child during the war would be the hallmark of her personality.

She moved to the US in 1959, and she said at the time, if she had $100 and a one-way ticket, she would have returned to London. But she persevered and soon enough she considered the US, and especially her beloved Austin, to be her true home. Even so, her British accent and eccentricities survived all her years in America.

In 1977, with her ex-husband, Matt, she opened a retail store on RR 620 called the Greenhouse Mall. She worked tirelessly and gave her all to the business, and continued to work in her later years, even from her home, until health issues made it impossible. Even so, she maintained her interest in the business and its employees until the end of her life. She had a wonderful mind for numbers and an amazing work ethic, for which she will always be known.

She is survived by her sister, Margaret Swift; her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Paul Galindo; her son and daughter-in-law, Rob and Terri Wiggers; her grandson, Kyle Wiggers; and her nephews, Don and Michael Swift, and their wives, Janet and Deb.

We want to give special thanks to those special people who saw her through the end of her life in the medical field. Dr. Andy Hawthorne and Dr. Brady Anderson, her surgeons, who bravely operated, and gave us an extra two and half months with her.

Thanks to Star Murga, a caretaker who came to us three months ago, while she was in the hospital. While she knew Mom only a few months, she poured her heart into her care.

And very special thanks to our beloved Liz Nixon, Mom’s caretaker for two years, who not only made Muriel’s life better and healthier, but more joyful. Liz is a bright, loving beacon, to whom we owe our deepest gratitude.

Muriel was a huge lover of animals, and especially dogs, and we like to picture her reunited with all of her cherished Boxer dogs. For those wishing to make charitable donations, please support the Austin Humane Society or the Town Lake Animal Shelter.

She will be missed terribly by family and friends; she had a huge personality and a wonderful sense of humor and was kind to all. We love you, dear Worm.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Monday, June 6, 2011 at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin. Funeral services celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at the funeral home chapel, with interment to follow at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery.

To share memories of Muriel with her family, please visit www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com.