Muriel Moore

Muriel Evans Moore was born April 29, 1917, on the family ranch southeast of Norwood, Colorado. She died on January 29, 2013, and was a resident of Mesa View Retirement Home. She was 95 years old and outlived four siblings. Muriel attended a country school through the fourth grade, always riding horseback to the school that was two miles from home. She then attended Norwood schools, graduating with Valedictorian honors from Norwood High School. She continued her education in Tacoma, Washington before returning to Grand Junction where she received her business degree from Ross Business College. She excelled in short hand which she used to the end of her life. Her first job in 1938, was as secretary to the Purchasing Agent for the U.S. Vanadium Corp. in Uravan, Colorado. After marriage and children, she reentered the working world as a secretary in the Mesa County School District 51 for the Athletic Director for 20 years. Muriel met her life partner, J.P. Moore in 1940, while they both worked in Uravan, CO. They were engaged on Valentine Day in the middle of the famous swinging bridge and married on May 31, 1942, in Norwood. J.P.'s job as head chemist of U.S. Vanadium Corp. involved several moves from Grand Junction to Uravan to Rifle, and then back to Grand Junction where they have lived since 1958. Muriel had three children, Jeanne Moore Parkhurst of Westminster, CO; Larry Moore of Coal Creek Canyon, near Golden, and Becky Moore Hearty of Boulder. The family enjoyed all that Colorado had to offer, hiking, fishing, and outdoor sports. After attending college, and leaving the state, all three children returned to live in Colorado to the pleasure of their parents. Muriel has ten grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Muriel was nominated and rated runner up for Secretary of the Year in School District 51. She also is a 35 year member of the Order of Eastern Star, a member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem and Social Order of Beauceant. She filled all chairs in White Shrine and became Worthy High Priestess of Bethlehem Shrine, the highest office. To the last of her days and throughout her life, Muriel was a crafter, producing many projects that her children treasure. Her other love was dancing. Muriel is survived by her husband of 70 years, James Philip Moore. He is 96 years old. A memorial service will be planned at a later date at First United Methodist Church.