Muriel Winifred Parker

Hamilton - Muriel Parker was born on May 22, 1935 in Everett, Massachusetts and entered eternal life on August 28, 2024.

She graduated from Melrose High School and attended Eastern Nazarene College in Wollaston, MA where she met her husband Persh. They were married in 1957, after which Muriel worked as a Secretary at Kansas University Medical Center while Persh attended seminary. They lived in Sebago, Maine; Goffstown, New Hampshire; Broomall, Pennsylvania; Groton, Connecticut; Vernon, Connecticut; and they finally landed in Hamilton, Montana in 2008.

Muriel loved animals, birds, and nature in general. In particular, she loved her dogs Tessie, Boomer, Amy, Patches, Silky, Duffy, Barney and Teddy who were her loyal companions over fifty years. She showed her dogs in obedience shows and trials, winning ribbons and trophies, and working independently as a dog obedience instructor. Her favorite outdoor activities included tending her gardens, hiking, backpacking and cross-country skiing. In 1995, she traveled solo, including flying in a bush plane, to Alaska to observe and photograph Kodiak bears as they fished for salmon.

Muriel was a watercolor artist, participating in juried shows and winning multiple awards including a national award. She is a member by invitation of the Connecticut Watercolor Society and participated for several years in Artists Along the Bitterroot.

She loved music and enjoyed playing piano at Corvallis United Methodist Church services. She is survived by son Tom (Lauren) and daughter Wendy, brother Ron, and six grandchildren Sam, Becca, Matt, Zachary, Dennis, and Xavier.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at the Corvallis United Methodist Church with Pastor Dexter Ware officiating.  Interment will take place at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton.