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Muriel Shiff Obituary

Muriel Levy Shiff, age 84, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2013 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. Muriel was born in Neenah on April 19, 1929, to Max and Leah Levy. After graduating from Neenah High School, Muriel received a degree in English from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She married her high school sweatheart Joe Shiff of Appleton in Milwaukee on December 24, 1950. Muriel and Joe loved to sail, travel, talk, and laugh together. Joe was the light of her life and they enjoyed 42 wonderful years together until his death in 1992.

Besides raising their two sons, Mike and David, Muriel was an English teacher and volunteered for many years with Hadassah, Moses Montefiore Sisterhood and a number of other charitable organizations. After her children graduated college she pursued her interest in art and design by earning an associates degree in interior design and went on to do residential interior design work in the Appleton community. She very much enjoyed and appreciated the company of her friends and she also held a special place in her heart for animals and nature. Although she sorely missed Joe, Muriel remained strong and active, traveling extensivley and sailing every summer with family and friends. In her travels, she visited over 50 countries across all seven continents. Along the way she became a good photographer. Muriel also continued to volunteer by helping teach children to read and she passed along her love for animals, nature, and science by working with children's programs at the Phonenix Zoo.

In addtion to her deep love and affection for her two children, Michael and David, she adored her two grandchildren Sam and Sophie, who were her pride and joy. Throughout her life Muriel was active and independent and at the age of 84 she was still driving a car with a stick shift. Muriel also continued to enjoy sailing and was racing on the family boat in Annapolis with her son David as recently as this Spring. To the end she was also a Packers and Badgers fan. Most importantly, Muriel believed people could accomplish whatever they set out to achieve and she hoped that people would choose to do the right thing for other people, for animals, for nature, and for the world.

Muriel touched the lives of people in a memorable manner wherever she went. She will be deeply missed by many people including her two sons, David Shiff of Bethesda, MD, Mike Shiff and his wife Anne and their two children Sam and Sophie of Plano, TX, and her brother, Stan Levy and his wife Eunice of Avon, CT.

An outdoor service will take place at 11:00am on Sunday, October 20 at Moses Montefiore Cemetery (located on East Woodland Avenue between North Viola Street and North Rankin Street; the entrance on East Woodland Avenue is across from Willow Court) in Appleton.

In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a charitable donation to the children's charity, animal welfare, or nature conservancy of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Appleton Post-Crescent on Oct. 20, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Muriel Shiff

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Patti Ebben

October 26, 2013

Muriel's infectious laugh, positive attitude about life, delightful stories ...enriched us deeply @ Touchmark.
Rest in peace dear friend.
Sincere condolences to her sweet family. She loved you so much!
Patti

lisa and marty hublitz

October 25, 2013

Dear Dave,
Our hearts are broken over the news about Muriel. We looked forward to her visits to Annapolis and enjoyed her company immensely. She was one of those people who you never forget and always felt fortunate to know. We are thinking about you, Cathy and your family and will remember Muriel with great fondness and love. May she rest in peace.

Alice Seaborne

October 23, 2013

My husband, Ben, and I shared some wonderful memories of fun times we four had together here in Arizona and back in Appleton. Muriel and Joe both had a wonderful sense of humor, and I remember our times together were always full of laughter. Muriel was a woman to be admired and I feel privileged that she became part of our lives and now of great memories.

Marijean Flom

October 21, 2013

I met Muriel just one time when she was having dinner with Mike at Touchmark. I enjoyed them both very much and looked forward to getting to know her better. I am so sad to hear that she has died and express my sincere sympathy to her family.
Marijean Flom appleton

October 21, 2013

Muriel was a great lady!

Char. Weiland- Friede

October 20, 2013

Thinking of Muriels boys and family. You have some wonderful memories to talk about and share with your children as your parents loved life.. I met them both when Muriel and I car pooled with you boys in pre-school, so it was a long time.. My sympathy goes out to you...

October 20, 2013

I send my sympathy and thoughts for all the Shiff family today. I am sorry that I will not be at the service. With peace and love,

Grace Butler Sheely, AHSE 1975

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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Brettschneider-Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel & Crematory - Appleton

606 North Oneida St., Appleton, WI 54911

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