Muriel Virginia O'Brien

Many things can be said about Muriel Virginia O'Brien. Known to friends and acquaintances as a friendly, energetic, empathic and decisive woman, her compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing her charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. She was warmhearted, gentle and organized in all the things she sought to accomplish. Muriel was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around her. She generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

Muriel was born on February 28, 1921 in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. Her parents were Fredrick and Murs Sherrard. Muriel was raised in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. When she was young, Muriel's friends and family found that “straightforward” and “honest” were perfect words to describe her. Even as a child, Muriel demonstrated strong qualities of self-confidence, perceptive ability and a disposition that was enjoyable to those around her.

Muriel grew up with three siblings. She had three older brothers, Harold, Arnold, and Keith. Muriel was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with her family. She was even-tempered, taking care not to get involved in too many family conflicts. This quality served her well, in perpetually bringing harmony, understanding and a sense of peace to the family. Muriel carried these traits into her adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found her pleasurable and delightful to be around. Muriel was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those she knew.

During her high school years, Muriel had a natural flair for cheering on and applauding just about everyone. She was constantly offering her support and encouragement to fellow members of the groups and activities in which she participated. She graduated from Foxcroft Academy in 1939. She did well in school and genuinely enjoyed telling stories in a way that drew people to her. In this way, Muriel had a talent for becoming the center of attention, a kind of social catalyst. Muriel was often found to be the lead person facilitating a group activity, frequently filling the role of being “the life of the party.” Teachers and classmates knew Muriel as an excellent listener. She placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped waiting for her just around the corner.

Always considered a “good” friend, Muriel sought to understand the things that others enjoyed. For this reason Muriel always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. Muriel’s friends found her easy to know and get along with because of her talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in her dealings with others. Muriel would always seek to learn what her friends enjoyed, and she would go out of her way to make sure that their needs were met. Muriel was always seen as the type of person who was the more gracious giver. In fact, she sometimes felt ill at ease when she was the one on the receiving end. Throughout her life she had many friends. While growing up, some of her best friends were Bertha Washburn, Joe Washburn, and Priscilla Clark. Later in life, she became friends with Babs Klenlek, Elizabeth Six, John and Jean Vernon, Ruth Manus, Zelda Pennock, Julean Johnson, Herman and Bev Graham, Gene and Jean Peterson.

On February 9, 1947 Muriel married James William O'Brien Sr. in Portland, Maine. Compassionate and devoted, Muriel worked hard to make her new family happy. She was always generous with her time and this meant that James came first in Muriel’s book. She was always caring and made certain that she considered James’s feelings. By trusting her emotions, Muriel did her best to make sure that both the marriage and home life ran smoothly. This is just one more example of how Muriel was truly a person of empathy.

Muriel’s quality of being a caring and tolerant person who was very accepting of others translated to being a good mother to her children. Muriel shared these values with her three children, two daughters, Murs-Ann and Carol, and one son, James. Muriel was also blessed with seven grandchildren, Jamie, Aaron, Kristie, Sean, William, Casey and Cory. Muriel related well to children of all ages and was able to connect to them on their level. The children always loved her and she was completely and totally devoted to them.

Muriel experienced success in her work life over and over again. Her primary occupation was her primary occupation was homemaker. She was employed during WWII at Wright Aircraft. She was also employed at Macy's for six years, and then Santa Cruz County Education Department for 3 years, working with handicapped children. Muriel always made the effort to understand what was needed at work, and was well known by her colleagues as a team player. Muriel took pride in managing her professional responsibilities and seemed to always know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. Muriel was one to take the initiative and her skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. Muriel continually sought to learn what her co-workers did well and how they were most effective, a talent that enabled her to help them develop their own potential.

Because she was organized and methodical, Muriel took great pleasure in her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were tatting. Muriel enjoyed sharing her passions with others and could singularly focus on one hobby at a time.

Muriel derived much satisfaction from sports. Because she was so instinctive and could always grasp the big picture, Muriel delighted in the strategy and inner workings of a competition. Muriel was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite teams' events whenever she got the opportunity. She liked to watch football and was a San Francisco 49'ers fan.

Throughout her life, Muriel was actively involved in professional and community organizations. With a talent for focusing in on exactly what was required to be completed, Muriel was known to her peers as being able to strengthen any group endeavor. When called on, Muriel was a natural leader who created harmony and good relationships within the group, often putting her own needs aside. Muriel’s involvement could easily help structure and organize any part of an organization. An added benefit was Muriel’s ability to bring valued principles along with her. Throughout her later years, Muriel was an active member of the Escapees RV Club and Thousand Trails Campground.

Muriel was well known to others for her ability to naturally and conscientiously move into action to help others, a quality that placed her as an active contributor to many community activities. Charismatic by nature, she was always viewed by others as someone who built bridges, connected to people, and upheld her personal values. Politically, Muriel was a life-long Democrat.

Muriel’s faith was important to her. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church/religion for many years. She was compassionate and warm hearted, someone who truly cared for others and that was clearly demonstrated in her work with the congregation.

Muriel enjoyed traveling, and because she was so well organized, she would take on the responsibility of planning and scheduling all of the family vacations. Her gift for keeping things lively meant that vacations with Muriel were always enjoyable. She spent 20 years traveling throughout the U.S. in her motorhome. She visited 47 of the 50 states.

Muriel was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Two of Muriel's favorites were GeeGee, a Boxer dog, and St. Bernard, a mixed dog. They were her best friends for 15 years. She had four more dogs over a period of 30 years; OB, Babe, Cupid, and Tina.

When Muriel’s retirement finally came in 1947, she was well prepared. Being the focused and organized person that she was, Muriel had taken care to plan for this part of her life. When that time eventually arrived, Muriel knew exactly what she wanted to do. Her new life traveling in her motorhome. In retirement, she found new pleasure in traveling, meeting new people, and visiting family and friends. Even in retirement, Muriel continued to stay in touch with her old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

Muriel passed away on February 9, 2014 at Blue Sky Manor in Chandler, Arizona. For 6 years, she fought a brave battle against a truly terrible disease, Alzheimer's. She is survived by her children Murs-Ann, Carol and Jim; her grand children Jamie, Aaron, Kristie, Sean, William, Casey, and Cory; and her great-grandchildren Chloe, Livia, Eleanor, and Reagan. Services were held at the Drawing Room Chapel, Oak Hill Funeral Home. Muriel was laid to rest in Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, California.

Throughout her life, Muriel was a gregarious and enthusiastic woman. She was generous in sharing her personal attributes, giving and helping those she knew and loved. She would often fill the role of coach, bringing out the best in everyone. She was imaginative, original, tender hearted and easy to get along with. Muriel leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember Muriel Virginia O'Brien.