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1945
2015
Dede Noll Muhler
July 16, 1945 - December 11, 2015
Dede passed away peacefully at Highland Hospital in Oakland, California, due to traumatic brain injury caused by a fall. She was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and her given name was Mary Lynn Noll. Her mother was Vera Sue McCord and her father was Willis Westbrook Noll. Dede graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1963 and from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1968 with a major in Middle Eastern History. In 1968, she married William Mead Muhler in New Delhi, India. From 1968 to 1970 she served with William in India as a Peace Corps Volunteer working in village-level public health. In 1974 she was as a Peace Corps training project administrator in Iran, and from 1974 to 1976 she worked with the World Student Christian Federation in Nigeria. Dede loved nature; she worked for 42 years as a pruning specialist, enhancing the health and beauty of small trees and gardens throughout the Bay Area. She was a long time member of Montclair Presbyterian Church, and served as Clerk of Session and as the moderator of the Presbytery of San Francisco. Dede was a volunteer at the California Genealogical Society. For many years she volunteered as the East Bay coordinator for Knitting Pals by the Bay, which produced knitted caps for thousands of cancer patients. She travelled extensively throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, enjoyed mountaineering in the Sierras and the Himalayas, and climbed all of the peaks in the Kita Alps of central Japan. Dede loved golf; she was a course champion at the Chabot Golf Course in Oakland, and a Golf Course Rater at Bay Area public and private courses. As an avid cyclist, she participated twice in the California Aids Ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles and took part in century rides throughout California. Dede is survived by her husband William; their daughter Tamara Christine Muhler, her husband Kristian Ribaya Reyes, and grandchildren Kira Louise Muhler Reyes and William Generoso Muhler Reyes; their son Nathaniel Westbrook Muhler and his wife Jennifer Kerrick Muhler; her sisters Sandra Noll Hammond and Jan Elizabeth McClurg, and her step-brothers Herbert Lewis Jr. and David Lewis. She is also survived by an extended family of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and a host of long-time friends. A memorial service will be held at 2:00PM on January 30, 2016, at the Oakland Center for Spiritual Living, 5000 Clarewood Drive, Oakland. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent for an East Bay Regional Parks memorial bench to the attention of William Muhler at 6937 Village Parkway #2280, Dublin CA 94568.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Dede was a mother figure and a mentor to alot of people who were fortunate enough to expreince life in her presence. She will always be in my heart for the loving conversations and safety she provided me while i lived in her house. Ride and rest my dear Dede.
Nafiisa Dahir
Friend
December 26, 2023
We are very sorry to learn of the passing of Dede, but grateful for her (and William's) service to our nation with the Peace Corps.
Our Condolences,
The National Peace Corps Association
January 4, 2016
I am beyond sorry to hear Dede's passing today. I met Dede and Bill few years back while looking for a room to rent. they have been like a family to me and I will miss Dede immensely. She had the strongest will and the kindest heart of anyone I know. I am sure she will be loved and welcomed by her lord.
Nafiisa Dahir
January 3, 2016
Im so sorry for your big lost, rest in peace Dede... A big hug for all of you!
Martha Aguirre
January 3, 2016
I was so sorry to read of Dede's passing. It has been so many years since Len and I have seen you but we had spoken of you often and have fond memories of the time we spent together, both pre and post Peace Corps. My thoughts are with you and your family. Marilyn (Missy) Libresco.
Marilyn Libresco
January 3, 2016
I remember her well. I did my one and only AIDS Ride in 2000 at age 55 and she was a cheerleader for me, keeping my spirits up and always encouraging my slow progress. I didn't know all of her accomplishments, but knew she was a special caring person. So sorry for your loss.
Joyce Gunn
January 3, 2016
My most sincere condolences. She was a wonderful mother. My son always spoke of " his friend's Tamara family" with such affection all through out the Years of the Bay area Wind Symphony. With much affection , I am deeply sorry,
Lucia Hammond ( Michael Hammond's mother)
Lucia Hammond
January 3, 2016
Dear Tamera,
It has been a long time since we were at MPC together, but our love goes out to you and your family at this difficult time. Your mother had a generous spirit and shared her gifts with many. She will be missed.
Wishing you all Peace,
Kimberley Foster Rogers
Kimberley Foster Rogers
January 2, 2016
Sonia Jimenez-Ribaya
January 2, 2016
I am still absorbing the reality of the sudden loss of Dede. I loved how relational she was. She focused on whoever was speaking and really listened and made me feel valued and that my ideas mattered. She was a welcoming hostess even at the end of long, busy days. We always looked forward to dinner with Dede and Bill, for the fun, the food, the conversation., and the joy of going back togehter so many decades, and sharing so many interests and ideas. Dede was among my favorite people. I can't believe she is gone.
heidi hadsell
January 1, 2016
What an example of a life well-lived. Dede left a wonderful legacy through her caring, joy, adventurous spirit, creative work, service to others, and beautiful family. The world is a poorer place without Dede in it. I am blessed to have known her and to have her daughter, Tamara, as my good friend.
Lisa Arakelian
January 1, 2016
What an example of a life well-lived! The world is poorer without Dede in it.
January 1, 2016
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