Eleanor M. Muir, 78
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. â€' Eleanor M. Muir, 78, of Sweetwood Retirement Community died Wednesday, July 26, 2006, at home. Born in New Bedford on May 19, 1928, daughter of Francis and Johanna Wicha Barrett, she graduated from New Bedford High in 1946 and attended the New Bedford Institute, now the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. She resided for more than 40 years in California after her marriage, then in Flat Rock, N.C., and Dartmouth before moving to Williamstown in 2004.
Mrs. Muir was vice president of her husband's biotech company, Materials Science, for the past 30 years. She was also employed by the state of California in the Rehabilitation Department for eight years.
She was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and often volunteered there. She also volunteered for Head Start, as a Cub Scout den mother, and at various libraries. She was a docent at the New Bedford Whaling Museum for eight years.
Mrs. Muir enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. She also enjoyed reading and was an active bird watcher. She was a member of The Red Hat Society. She loved people, said family, for her there was no such thing as a stranger.
She leaves her husband, Hubert M. "Hugh" Muir, whom she married on July 24, 1948; two sons, Michael Muir-Harmony of Bernardston and Stephen Muir of Santa Rosa, Calif.; a daughter, Kathleen Lightbody of Waxhaw, N.C.; eight grandchildren, a great-grandchild, and three nieces, a nephew, and many friends worldwide.
FUNERAL NOTICE â€' A memorial service for Mrs. Muir will be celebrated Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church in Williamstown. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in New Bedford.
There will be calling hours at Saunders-Dwyer Funeral Home in New Bedford from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, with interment following. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The New Bedford Whaling Museum in care of FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, WEST CHAPELS, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 10247, which is in charge of arrangements.