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IN MEMORIAM: Muriel J. Close, War Bride,

Active In American Guild Of Organists (AGO)

Muriel Close
Muriel Close

ONEONTA – Muriel Joy Close, 90, Oneonta, a native of Great Britain who met her husband in the British Isles during World War II, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014 at the Chestnut Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Oneonta.

She was born Jan. 30, 1924, in Westminster, London, the daughter of the late William J. and Daisy L. (Ball) Wheeler.  Muriel grew up in Greenford, Middlesex, England, and attended Greenford schools where she graduated in 1940 and took her final exams from the University of London, all at the age of 16.

During World War II, Muriel was a radar plotter in the Royal Air Force.  While on leave in Northern Ireland, Muriel met her future husband, Walter Robert Close, in a movie house.  After that first meeting they became inseparable and were married on July 25, 1944, in Kilkeal, County Down, Northern Ireland.  Walter, a Delaware County native, predeceased her on March 28, 1990.

Muriel moved to the United States to be with her husband in March 1946, setting sail on the Queen Mary from Southhampton and landing in New York City.

Upon settling in Oneonta in 1946, Muriel became a member of the St. James Episcopal Church and was a choir member. She was also a member of the Oneonta Concert Association, the Oneonta Women’s Club and the Federated Garden Club.

In her younger years she learned to play a violin handed down from her great-grandfather.  She enjoyed listening and playing classical music.  She was a member and secretary of the Oneonta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and attended the AGO National Convention in 1984 in San Francisco.  She also attended the Cathedral of All Saints in Albany, where she supported and personally funded the Boys Choir for many years.

Muriel had a keen sense of humor and a sharp wit.  She loved reading the Bible and watching game shows on TV, especially “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy.”  She also enjoyed stamp and coin collecting, doing crossword puzzles, and very much enjoyed her afternoon tea-time. Muriel is survived by her five children, Roger Close and Jodie King of Beaver Falls, Pa., Bonnie and Ronald Guido of Orchard Park, Stephen and Susan Close of Ormond Beach, Fla., Trevor and Rita Close of Mechanicsville, Va., and Wendell Close of Oneonta; 12 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.  She was predeceased by two daughters, Sheila Irene Close and Christy Lee Plumadore, and her sister and brother-in-law, Naomi and Kenneth Lees.

Calling hours are 3-5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, in the Bookhout Funeral Home.  The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, in St. James Episcopal Church, with the Reverend Kenneth Hunter officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Main St., Oneonta, NY 13820.

To light a candle or to send an online condolence to the family, please visit our website: www.bookhoutfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.

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Putting the Community Back Into the Newspaper

Now through March 30, new annual subscribers to “The Freeman’s Journal” and AllOtsego.com (or subscribers who have lapsed for two or more years) have an opportunity to help their choice of one of four Otsego County charitable organizations.

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