Muriel M. (Meyer) Shea

Muriel ‘Moo’ Marianne (Meyer) Shea died peacefully on November 22, 2022 at the Westerly Health Center. She was 96. She is survived by her children, Diane, Nancy, Lori, and Michael, her grandchildren, Regan, Maxwell, Mica, Torrey, Grady and her great-grandchildren, Aidan and Kian. Muriel was born on August 4, 1926 to Louis and Marie (Blanke) Meyer in Queens, NY, where she shared her Jamaica Hospital nursery with Tony Bennett.

At Richmond Hill High she played trumpet in the school band and acquired an appreciation for New Orleans jazz music. After graduation, Muriel attended Katharine Gibbs College in NYC and enjoyed working in Manhattan until her marriage to Willian F. Shea. In the mid-1950s, they jointly established Shea-Williams Funeral Home in Mystic, CT. Although they divorced in 1972, Muriel and Bill remained friends until his death in 2004.

Muriel later worked in CT as a copy editor for ATT where her early retirement and pension allowed her to buy her dream home in Palm Harbor Florida. Muriel loved going to Clearwater Beach and was active in many social and civic organizations.  She was a life-long member of the Garden Club of America. An avid gardener, she entered many of her flower arrangements in competitions.  Muriel also enjoyed bowling and received ‘top score’ awards, not only during the mother/son tournaments in CT but well into her 80s in FL.

Muriel had an independent spirit and traveled extensively, but her daily joy came from her cat companions, over the decades: Julie (Newmar), Kitty (Katherine), Louie, Marie, Frankie and Bella.

There will be a memorial gathering on Thursday, December 29, 2022 from 3:00-6:00 pm at The Haversham, 336 Post Road, Westerly, Rhode Island. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted.  ‘Moo’ gave generously to the World Wildlife Fund and other Earth-friendly organizations. Please keep Muriel in mind when asked to donate.  Arrangements with HENAULT-GALLOGLY Funeral Home.

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