Muriel LEONARD

LEONARD
Muriel Arlene, departed life at the age of 91, on Sunday, August 24, 2014 at the Atrium in Wayne, NJ.
She was the third child, among ten, born to her loving parents Cyril and Gladys Keene in Whitman, MA on October 8, 1922.
Muriel spent her earliest years in Whitman until the age of 21 when determined to serve her country in WWII she enlisted in the Women's Army Corps (WAC). She was easily chosen to represent the WACs in recruitment posters on account of her charming beauty.
Following the war she relocated to Long Island where she later married Charles Leonard. She then moved to Paterson, NJ where she remained for the rest of her life and was a good neighbor, constant friend and successful single mother of two accomplished children.
Muriel is survived by her daughter Carol Anne Kunzig, and her husband Richard of Butler, NJ along with grandchildren Joshua and Jennifer Castaño of Philadelphia, PA and Butler respectively; both the grateful children of her daughter Joyce Castaño who preceded her into eternal rest in 2008. Two of Muriel's siblings also survive to mourn her loss, Roy Keene of Maine and Doris Sprague and her husband Charles of Whitman.
Muriel was a skilled seamstress during her many years of work in several garment manufacturers in Paterson and a longtime, proud member of the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union. Muriel was also a lifelong church member and leader in many congregations in Paterson, most recently at United Presbyterian Church. Many will warmly remember her smiling service as a Deacon, Elder, Volunteer Financial Officer, and Treasurer of the Women's Service Group among the many roles and responsibilities she fulfilled diligently and faithfully. Muriel's long and blessed life was imbued with humility, service, and kindness towards her family, friends and everyone she met.
Funeral will be at 11 AM on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at the Browning-Forshay Funeral Home, 557 Lafayette Ave., Hawthorne. Interment will follow at Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Fair Lawn. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, 20 Washington Pl. Newark, NJ 07102 or to the Tri-Boro Animal Welfare, 12 Belleview Ave., Butler, NJ 07405.
www.browningforshay.com .