A Sweetheart of a Human Being in all respects. As a little girl, I remember her total attention when we were talking. Whenever I saw her in the next half a century, she maintained that same focus, which I, being on the receiving end, felt valued and  worthwhile indeed. Thank you gracious Lady.

"Aunt Muriel, you always had a twinkle in your eye and a wonderful mischievous smile. You had a great sense of humor and were always laughing.  You were like another grandmother to me and I loved you very much.  I am going to miss you greatly. I am lucky to have one of your beautiful crochet projects that you made for me when I got married and I display it with pride. Whenever we had the chance to visit we always had a great time and you were such a sweet woman. I'm sad to have you leave us, but happy that you will be reunited with Uncle Howard in Heaven.  I know you are smiling down and blowing kisses to us now."

How in the world could someone so small in stature have as big a personality as you have?  Your sense of humor and your laugh are on the top of a very long list of things that I will miss. I love you.

Muriel, you always claimed me as sister  as I did you.  We were sisters and good friends from the start when you first joined our family as Howard's wife.  Like all sisters, we had moments of occasional misunderstanding, but also like sisters, our love for each other always resolved these.  Problems counted as nothing against the hours and hours of fun, love and mutual support we shared.  
Hubert and I were pleased to make dinner for you and Howard on your wedding day.  Afterwards, you would frequently mention a salad I made for you that evening called Peaches of a Pear.  I remember it only because you did.  I am glad you liked it so much.
Probably more memorable is the joke I played on you on your wedding night.  You and Howard were our guests.  I guess I must have felt totally comfortable with you from the start and must have known that you had a great sense of humor because I short-sheeted your bed.  Apparently you and Howard laughed about this together while you made the bed more comfortable for you to actually sleep in.  You got back at me though the next morning, keeping quiet about the bed and your response to it.  When I went to change the sheets after you had gone, I found that you had carefully made the bed back just as I had made it in the first place!  It was my turn to laugh.
You and Mark had a special relationship in which joking with each other was a major factor.  He lived with you for the summer after Hubert and I were transferred to Lansing, Michigan, and I remember the stories he told of the fun you all had together that summer.  The most famous joke I remember is Mark hiding your shoes on a regular basis  usually after we were getting together at your house in the evening after some Corps function when you had to go to work the next day.  He was so successful at times that you had to call and beg for their location so you had something to wear to work.  You and Mark shared many memorable times and I will never forget how you were there for him  and for Hubert, Melody and me - when he left us and passed on to Glory.  
I remember with joy all the times we traveled together.  We would pack our bags and go  to California, to the southeast United States, to Alaska, to Europe.  When Howard and I were chosen as delegates for an International Congress for the Salvation Army in London, we decided that we would take you and Hubert along.  Again, we packed our bags and went  first to London and the Congress, and then traveling through Europe by train often using the train as our hotel for a night.  Enjoyment of that trip was heightened because you were there to share it with me.
Then there was the trip to Alaska.  Yes, we were awed by all the spectacular scenery and appreciated the unique Alaskan towns, but I think that trip was most memorable because all four of us were sick afterward.  But we got over it  and continued to travel together as long as we could.
I remember you and Howard dancing together.  You were so well tuned to each other's steps and moves  always.  You danced when things were tough at the beginning of your marriage and throughout your marriage.  When you danced together at Heather's wedding, you were looking into each other's eyes and smiling just as you had been in the early years.  I loved watching you.
So, dear sister, dear friend, this is the first separation we have had in many years where we cannot get together or talk on the phone.  I miss you so much, but I have the memory of your smile, your voice to carry me through this time.  I know you know how very, very much I love you.

Muriel, you have been a part of my life since its very start as my aunt and my friend.  You being you contributed so much to who I am today.
I have so many wonderful memories of our times together that I cannot begin to share them all.  Because Dad and Mom were officers in the Salvation Army, we moved around a lot while I was growing up.  But in spite of this, you and Howard always came to us for memorable occasions, and part of every trip we took included our coming to Wichita and seeing you.  
You made life fun  sometimes unintentionally as when you wore red shoes to Grandpa Lawrence's funeral.  You and Howard had packed the RV in a hurry and sped out to Woodland Park to be there in time.  As you were dressing for the funeral, you found all you had were red shoes and since your foot was so tiny, even I could not lend you a pair of a more somber color.  But your quandary brought a smile and a laugh to Grandma Lawrence at a time when she needed it, and the rest of us got a big kick out of it too!
I remember spending lots of time at your house when we lived in Wichita.  I would stay with you when Mom and Dad were gone for Officers' Councils or just for fun.  You took me to my first swimming lessons at what seemed to me to be a giant pool at one of the high schools.  I was scared but you reassured me that I could do it.  Then later, you planned a special outing for me at the big Municipool in Wichita before we left for Lansing, Michigan.
I remember the backyard cook-outs we had at our house in Wichita.  They were frequent and just a part of how we lived our lives.  It was what we as a family did.  Dad and Howard manning the grill, the rest of us preparing whatever else there was to prepare.  
I was always secure and content when I was with you, and this allowed time and space for me to explore, learn new things.  I know you enjoyed crocheting, but I have some vague memories of being on some kind of knitting-spree at your house when I was in grade school.  I also learned and loved to crochet  and felt you were a kindred spirit in that love.
You were not only there for me when I was growing up, you were there too for my family after I married and had children  holidays, dance recitals, graduations.  
I enjoyed the calm way you took Howard's intensity in stride  like when he was talking politics or totally engrossed in building something new.  Memory of your comment during a telephone conversation when he was busy building a cross for the Corps never fails to bring a smile to my face. You were looking out a window as he was moving it from one area to another across the yard and you said with a kind of sigh, There goes Howard  carrying his cross.
I loved spending time with you because I could always count on you being you:  warm, caring, gracious and thoughtful.  I was secure in your love for me.  But most of all, I remember the laughter.  When I was looking through photographs to share for your video, I noted how much we as a family were all laughing together  not just smiling for the camera  but laughing in pure enjoyment of each other in almost all of the photos.  
When Dad passed away, Mom and I found and enjoyed watching together a movie called Secondhand Lions.  I think we shared this movie with you and Howard once when you were visiting at my house.  At the end of that movie, the great-nephew comments that his two great uncles had really lived after they had died trying to flying a biplane through a barn.  
Today I miss you terribly.  But I know that YOU really lived and that pieces of your life, who you are, live on in those of us who love you dearly.

Dear Auntie Muriel I will always remember your sweet smile and how you made everyone feel right at home when ever we came to visit you, you will be greatly missed. You will always have a special place in our hearts. Love you Auntie Muriel. See you in heaven at the great reunion one of these days. Ruth & Jim Lynch

Goodbye, Sis. The world has lost a sweet lady. I love you and I'll miss you, but not for long...I'm right behind you. Give Mama a big hug for me. I miss her, too.

that last entry was sent by Jane Lassen Topeka Ks

 My Auntie was wonderful. I loved her and I know that she loved me. I am so lucky to be a part of her life. She was a joy. My heart is breaking and I can't stop missing her. When we parted after every visit she'd blow kisses. So I'm blowing you one now Auntie.

Well done good and faithful servant. Well done.

Mom, you are the light of my life.  I will cherish you in my heart for the rest of my life.

I love my Auntie more than I can express. She was such an influence in my life. There is not a time I can remember when she wasn't there for me. She was so sweet, so funny, and so beautiful inside and out. I am missing her very much and will think of her everyday. She had a strong faith and I know she has gone on to a special place saved for her in heaven. I hope I will see her there someday.

I love you so much mom. I miss you terribly, but I know you're safe and comfortable in God's loving arms. I will always remember you're sweet smile and that you always had kind words for all you knew. I will miss the way you loved to joke around and make people laugh. Everyone loves you but you know I love you the most!!

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Muriel Ruth Lawrence

25 juillet 1921 – 9 avril 2015

Resthaven Mortuary & Gardens of Memory

Montrez votre soutien

Envoyez Vos
Condoléances

Partager
L'avis De Décès

Obtenir les mises à jour

Prestations de Service