Muriel Parker

Muriel (“Mert”) Parker (nee Warren), aged 92, passed away on June 20, 2017 in Hayden, Idaho. Muriel was born February 20, 1925 in Miami, Florida, to Thomas and Helen Warren. Originally from Southern California, the family returned there during the Great Depression.

Muriel’s childhood was typical of the Depression, living with poverty, making do with makeshift homes (they even spent one winter in a tent) before her father was finally able to build a home in the Garvey Hills area of San Gabriel, California. The U.S. joined World War II when she was in high school, and after graduation she did her bit for the war effort, working as a riveter at Lockheed Aircraft. She worked on P-38 fighter planes as well as then new, experimental fighter jets. Strikingly pretty, she took modeling lessons, did a few modeling jobs during the war, and was runner-up for “Miss Lockheed 1943.”

After the war, she married the love of her life, Alva (Jim) Parker, and raised her four children as well as several nieces and nephews. The family moved frequently, from California, to Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Alberta, Canada. After retirement, Jim and Muriel spent the rest of their days near Spokane, Washington.

Muriel was very intelligent and active her entire life. She was an avid reader. Her favorite author was John Steinbeck, who wrote about the places and times she could most relate to. Growing up with a mother who loved poetry, she knew many classics by heart and could recite them into old age, despite having vascular dementia. She was an avid gardener, and had a gift for turning a plain yard into a haven of beauty. She loved bowling and played in several leagues. She served as room mother and teacher’s assistant throughout her children’s grade school years. She was an accomplished seamstress and a phenomenal cook. Most of all she loved being a mother and grandmother, and had a special bond with young children.

She is remembered most for her fantastic sense of humor and her gift for hospitality. She could find something to laugh about in even the darkest situations, and heartily welcomed one and all into her home.

Muriel was predeceased by her husband, Jim, sister Helen Goor, brother Thomas Warren, and nephews Arthur Seckman and Richard Goor. She is survived by her children, Jim (Rhonda) Parker, Bob (Carolyn) Parker, Susan (Lance) Hummel, Kathe Parker, her sister, Phyllis Hart, as well as her nieces, nephews, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Many thanks to Dawn Hayden and the staff at Hayden Country Guest Home for the excellent care and attention she received the last two years of her life. Thanks also to Hospice of North Idaho, who took such good care of her that she graduated hospice – twice!

Muriel’s Memorial Service will be held Saturday, July 22, at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Chapel, Rathdrum, Idaho, Pastor Cory Kirkham officiating.

The last poem Muriel ever remembered:

Tell me not in mournful numbers

Life is but an empty dream! –

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!

And the grave is not its goal;

Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

Was not spoken of the soul.

- From “A Psalm of Life”

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow