Muriel Joy Wheeler Close

She was born January 30, 1924 in Westminster, London, England the daughter of the late William J. and Daisy L. (Ball) Wheeler. Muriel grew up in Greenford, Middlesex, England, and attended Greenford schools where she graduated in 1940 and took her final exams from the University of London, all at the age of 16.

Muriel was in the Royal Air Force in England as a Radar Plotter. While on leave at a movie house in Northern Ireland, Muriel met her future husband, Walter Robert Close. After that first meeting they became inseparable and were later married on July 25, 1944 in Kilkeal, County Down, Northern Ireland. Walter predeceased her on March 28, 1990.

Muriel moved to the United States to be with her husband in March 1946, setting sail on the ocean liner, Queen Mary, from South Hampton, England and landing in New York City. Upon settling in Oneonta in 1946, Muriel became a member of the St. James Episcopal Church and at the time of her death, she had the longest seniority of any active parish member. She was a choir member. She was also a member of the Oneonta Concert Association, the Oneonta Women’s Club and the Federated Garden Club.

In her younger years she learned to play the violin handed down from her great grandfather. She enjoyed listening and playing classical music. She was a member and secretary of the Oneonta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and attended the AGO National Convention held in San Francisco, CA in 1984. She also attended the Cathedral of All Saints in Albany, where she supported and personally funded the Boys Choir for many years.

Muriel had a keen sense of humor and a sharp wit. She loved reading from the Bible and watching game shows on tv, especially Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She also enjoyed stamp and coin collecting, doing crossword puzzles, and very much enjoyed her afternoon tea-time.

Muriel is survived by her five children, Roger Close and Jodie King of Beaver Falls, PA, Bonnie and Ronald Guido of Orchard Park, Stephen and Susan Close of Ormond Beach, FL, Trevor and Rita Close of Mechanicsville, VA and Wendell Close of Oneonta; 12 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by two daughters, Sheila Irene Close and Christy Lee Plumadore and her sister and brother-in-law, Naomi and Kenneth Lees.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, November 3, 2014 in the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. A Requiem Mass will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 11:00 AM in the St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta with the Reverend Kenneth Hunter officiating.

Memorial donations in Muriel’s name may be made to the St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta, New York 13820.