Marie Hyatt Muench

Marie Hyatt Muench, surrounded by her loving family went to be with the Lord on February 28, 2015 at the age of 96. Marie was born in Long Island, New York on January 9, 1919 but being a military wife, she has lived in many places around the world (Japan and Alaska to name a few) before settling down in Wilmington where she has lived for the past 52 years. Marie had such a giving spirit. She was an active member of Pine Valley United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years. She was also a member of PVUMC Women where she donated countless hours to help those in need and was once honored as their Woman of the Year. In addition, Marie was a Pink Lady at New Hanover Hospital and a United Cerebral Palsy volunteer for special needs children. Besides God, Marie's passion was her family who she loved more than herself. She was married to William August Muench for 56 happy years and devoted herself to raising their three children. Marie also loved animals realizing that they too are God's creatures. Marie and Bill's first "child" was Pinkie, a Toy Sptiz that Bill brought back with him from Belgium after WWII. Other special four-legged children include Buddy, Freddy, Sally, Sky-Rocket, Molly, and Princess. If Marie wasn't at home or at church, you could find her at a friend's home, the YWCA Center at Market Street Mall or the Senior Center sitting at a card table playing bridge. She was an accomplished bridge player, earning American Contract Bridge League Ace of Clubs Master points and other accolades. Marie also received the honor of being recognized as an ACBL Golden Age Master in 2012. Marie also loved the water and is a long time member of the Hanover Seaside Club. Her favorite past-time was taking a swim in Wrightsville Beach Sound and then lounging around in her lawn chair at the club facility, soaking in the rays. She and Bill were also long time members of Pine Valley Country Club. In both clubs Marie was instrumental in organizing many bridge parties. Marie has been reunited in heaven with her husband, and two sisters, Mildred Hyatt and Ethel Feltz. She will be greatly missed by daughter Marie Underdown and husband Dave of Conroe, Texas, William Muench and wife Janet of Wilmington, North Carolina and George Muench and wife Le'Ellon of Raleigh, North Carolina. She is also survived by grandchildren David Sellers, Lauren Sellers, Lucretia Humphrey, Beverly Horn, Courtney Muench and Patrick Muench, five great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson and many friends. Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Thursday, March 5, 2015 at Pine Valley United Methodist Church in Wilmington with a private burial service immediately following at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Camp Lejeune. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Pine Valley United Methodist Church. Contributions in Marie's memory can be made to Pine Valley United Methodist Church, 3788 Shipyard Blvd., Wilmington, NC 28403 or Spirit Acres Farm Equine Rescue & Sanctuary (for her adopted rescue horse, Mustang Sally), 17617 West FM 1097, Montgomery, TX, 77356. The family would like to thank the staff at Autumn Care of Myrtle Grove for their caring and kindness.