Muriel Mae Lambert Briggs

Muriel was born in Chicago in 1924 to Rose and Frank Lambert. She attended Fort Dearborn Elementary School, Morgan Park High School, and spent two years at Augustana College. In August 1944 she enlisted in the Navy WAVES and was stationed in San Leandro, CA.

After her discharge in April 1946, she attended Morningside College in Sioux City, IA. While at Morningside, she met Bill Briggs, whom she married in August 1947. They graduated in June 1948 and moved to Boulder the same summer so Bill could attend the University of Colorado. They settled in, started a family, and made Boulder their home for the rest of their lives.

In addition to raising four children and serving tirelessly as a faculty spouse, Muriel worked as an instructor at Mt. St. Gertrude Academy, and she taught fourth grade and substitute taught in the Boulder Valley schools. Just as her children left the house, grandchildren began arriving and she selflessly pitched in to help with childcare for the next generation. And as the grandchildren grew up, her love of children was put to work at the NIST Day Care Center.

Muriel’s 101 years were full of family, friends, travel, and recreation. She was an amazing cook and baker, and, at various times in her life, an enthusiastic cyclist, hiker, camper, knitter, seamstress, tap dancer, bridge player, and skier. She was an active member of the First Congregational Church and the Community United Church of Christ. Above all, she loved her bike, riding all over Colorado with her intrepid friends, and exploring the Boulder bike paths into her 90s. Her travels took her to England for a full year in 1961-62, around the world on a Semester at Sea voyage in 1980, and to Europe several times.

Muriel was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 52 years, Bill (1999), and by her grandson Jeff Hall (2024). She is survived by her children Bill (Julie), Roger (MaryAnn), Barbara Johnson (Jim), and Lindsey Hall (Jay); her grandchildren Wesley Johnson, Travis Briggs, Katie Huckabee, Aubrey Johnson, Justin Briggs (Molly), Erin Hopp (Rob) and Garret Hall (Carrie); and seven great grandchildren.

A private celebration of life is planned for the spring of 2026.