MURIEL CAMPBELL

MURIEL (PALMER) CAMPBELL ESSEX JUNCTION - Muriel (Palmer) Campbell, 95, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 5, 2011 in Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. She was born on Jan. 24, 1916 in St. Albans, the daughter of Raymond Emory and Hortense (Marvin) Palmer. She graduated from B.F.A. St. Albans in 1934, the first graduating class from the new building. She attended Oberlin Conservatory of Music, until extensive back surgery ended her instrumental studies. She then graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Fine Arts. Muriel returned to St. Albans to employment with Public Light Company, demonstrating new electronic appliances and promoting this new technology on a weekly radio program, with her cooking skills. Muriel married Richard Curtis Campbell, the boy next door, on May 10, 1942 in St. Paul's Methodist Church in St. Albans. They were married 61 years. Richard predeceased her on Dec. 21, 2002. In 1950, Muriel and Richard moved to Burlington with their two young daughters, Karen Elaine and Bonnie Beth Campbell. In 1953, Muriel was employed at the Mary Fletcher Hospital School of Nursing, serving as Librarian and Social Director until the school closed in 1971. She wrote "The Heritage", a history of the school from 1882 - 1971. Muriel and Richard were members of St. Paul's Methodist Church in St. Albans, then were longtime members of the First United Methodist Church in Burlington. She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Campbell Dattilio and her partner Vel and their adopted son, Jim Slattery and wife Pam; her brother, E. Frederick Palmer and wife Evelyn of St. Louis, Mo.; brother, Raymond M. Palmer and wife Alta of Burlington; four nephews, Nielson and wife Beverly, Frederick, Mark and wife Joanne, and Peter Palmer; four nieces, CaroleAnne Fontaine and husband Norman, Patti Rae Palmer and husband Robert White, Terri Mitchell and husband Brad, and Pamela Campbell; stepgrandchildren, David Dattilio and wife Michelle, Peggy Palker and husband Guy, Jamie Smith and husband Mark, and Ann Hill and husband David; 17 wonderful great-stepgrand- children whom she adored; and longtime friend and caregiver, Nancy Brewer. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard; daughter, Karen Elaine; brother, Emery Hampton Palmer; son-in-law, Anthony Dittilio; brother-in-laws, Gordon and Robert Campbell; and stepgranddaughter, Kim Dattilio. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 21 Buell Street, Burlington. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, March 9, 2011 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Corbin & Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant Street, Essex Junction. Interment will be held in the Spring at Greenwood Cemetery in St. Albans. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, VT 05403 or the Visiting Nurse Association, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446. A special thanks to the VNA staff and nurse Suzanne who made Mom's journey with dignity.