Muriel Hogan Dinsmore

1929 - 2018

MURIEL HOGAN DINSMORE Muriel Hogan Dinsmore 1929-2018, age 89 passed away quietly in her sleep surrounded by her family on Tuesday October 16, 2018 in Petaluma, CA. She was born in Eureka on May 1,1929 and was raised and spent her entire adult life in Humboldt County. Her parents were Oscar and Anne Hogan and they along with her brother Alden settled in Rio Dell where she went to elementary school and graduated from Fortuna High School in 1947. She went on to and graduated from Humboldt State University with a B.A. in Business Administration and 40 years later taking one class a semester for six years received a M.A. in Education/Human Resources from HSU in 1992. In June 1955 she married George Dinsmore and they moved to Fortuna before heading to Eureka in 1969 with their four children where she stayed and then moving in 2010 to the retirement community SpringField Place in Petaluma. Her life she always said was involved around six activities/jobs. First, devoted wife to her late husband George and avid supporter of their four children Sam, Jeff, Tamara and Scot; Day jobs including -Secretary to the late Dr. Homer Balabanis then HSU Vice President, Accountant for Gene Lucas, CPA, Writer and Editor of the 'Accent on People Section' for the Times-Standard (1970-80), Director of CR Public Affairs/Foundation Office (1980-1995) and following her retirement, a Professional Volunteer-in Arts, Culture and Historic Architecture. During her lifetime with her generous and unselfish style she touched many lives reaching out and connecting with people from all walks of life. Muriel loved being around people looking to always find a way to encourage the person to move forward with a phone call or a note by mail. Her ability to always get things done and never willing to accept NO to a challenge or an opportunity and above all looking for the best in other people and giving the best she had. She was a visionary in Humboldt County by being one of the original founders of the Fortuna Arts Council in 1966 and with the late Mayor Gil Trood and others they helped establish the Humboldt Arts Council in 1972. Her years of giving back to the community did not go unnoticed as she was recognized for numerous awards based on her involvement with organizations tied to the Arts, Culture and Education of Humboldt County. During her time at the Times-Standard she won both state and national awards including a Historic Preservation Media Award. She was a Founding Member, Past-President and Emeritus Board Member of Humboldt Arts Council and twice recipient of its Contribution to the Arts Award. She was a Founding Member and Past President of the CR Foundation League and Eureka Heritage Society, from which she received a Preservation Award in 1996. Muriel was Past President of AAUW, PEO and University Women Chapters in Humboldt County. She twice received the AAUW Women of Achievement Award, the League of Women Voter's Significant Contribution award in 2002 and in 2004 she was recognized by Soroptimist International's Chapter as a Woman of Distinction. In 2007 she was selected to the Humboldt State University Alumni and in 2010 she received the Humboldt County Republican of the Year award. Signature events of which she loved to be involved with were the CR Rummage Sale for student scholarships (CR Foundation League) and the Annual Home Tour Event which displayed historic structures in Humboldt County (Eureka Heritage Society). Most important was the monthly Arts Alive on Saturday night at the Morris Graves Museum of Art. In addition, she was also a current member of the Ingomar Club and past member of the Rotary Club of Old Town Eureka. She is survived by her four children; Sam - Boulder, CO, Jeff (Dawn Suyenaga) - Honolulu, HI, Tamara - San Francisco and Scot (Edie Chaska) - Petaluma. Grand children, Emma Candon-Rollason (Nichole Rollason), Alec Dinsmore and Bea and Hogan Dinsmore and her special friend Braxton Bragg of Petaluma. In addition to her immediate family she is survived by her sister-in-law's Jane Mundt - Prineville, OR and Jean Dinsmore - Fortuna, and cousins, nieces and nephews along with many, many close friends she has stayed in contact with throughout her many years. Her life time of sending cards, notes, flowers and making phone calls to her friends and family will be missed by all of us. She was preceded in death by her husband George Dinsmore in 1993. Arrangements are under the direction of Parent-Sorensen Mortuary in Petaluma. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday November 3 at 1:00 pm at the Christ Episcopal Church, 625 15th St in Eureka with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, if you wish please consider making a donation in her memory to the Humboldt Arts Council 636 F St Eureka, 95501 or the Eureka Heritage Society POB 1391 Eureka, 95501. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com