Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Muriel Dafoe Obituary
Muriel S. Dafoe, 90, devoted wife, mother, and nurse, died on September 14, in Orlando, Florida, surrounded by her loving husband and children.
Muriel Isabel Sprissler was born on November 29, 1921, in Boston, Massachusetts and graduated from Boston Girls Latin School, a competitive exam school, and later from Boston's Faulkner Hospital where she earned her R.N. While in nurses' training, she met and married William A. Dafoe, then a student at Harvard Medical School. They married secretly because nurses-in-training at that time were not allowed to marry before graduation.
After Dr. Dafoe's advanced training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, the couple moved their growing family to Appleton, where they lived for 43 years and raised their eight children. Muriel Dafoe worked as a nurse in her husband's surgical practice for many years.
She was happiest when she had lots of kids running around the house. She was popular in the neighborhood for allowing her children and their friends to put on shows in the basement or to borrow her flour to mark off a baseball diamond in the backyard. She liked teenagers best of all and spent many weekends chauffeuring teens to the Appleton Y Terrors Den or driving a group to an out-of-town Appleton West basketball game. She taught a sex education class at the Congregational Church and encouraged openness in answering teenagers' questions about sex, dating and romance.
Muriel loved words, books and ideas, and she fostered that curiosity and creativity in her children. After her children were grown, she attended UW-Oshkosh and majored in anthropology.
The Dafoes moved from Appleton to Orlando, Florida, to be closer to two daughters and seven grandchildren in that area. Muriel was an active member of Orlando Community Church for many years.
She leaves her husband of 70 years, William Dafoe, Orlando, Fla; children Barbara (Ralph) Whitehead, Northampton, Mass; Nancy (John) Christiansen, Orlando, Fla; Diane (Daniel) Fredrickson, Runnemede, N.J.; Donald (Sahara) Dafoe, Santa Monica, Calif; Richard Dafoe, Dallas, Tex; Jane (Dick) Lambie, Moundsville, W.Va; Willem (Giada) Dafoe, Rome, Italy and NY, NY; and Sarah (David) Holbrook, Orlando, Fla; 24 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren, and three more on the way. Her granddaughter, Faye Marie Fredrickson, preceded her in death.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Muriel Dafoe
Wendy Witt Johnson
October 1, 2012
My heartfelt sympathies to Dr. Dafoe and family. Muriel holds a special place in my heart with many great memories!
Barb & Phil Schlafer
September 30, 2012
Muriel was indeed a very special lady. We enjoyed being back yard neighbors to Dafoes for many years and have fond memories of Ann and Sarah Whitehead's summer visits to their grandparents. Our sons, Brad and Andy, join us in sending our sincere sympathy to your family.
Julie Gauerke Beyer
September 29, 2012
Dear Jane and Dafoe family, I just want to express my deepest sympathy to you all at this time. Your mother truly touched a great many lives and left us with wonderful memories, ie the 1970 snowy road trip to Madison Wi basketball championship game comes to mind. She would drop everything for her kids and their friends. Jane, would love to hear from you sometime.God be with you all!
Earl Ray
September 23, 2012
Sincere condolences to the Dafoe family. Many fond memories of growing up in the Byrd and Lindburgh St neighborhood with your family. Snow forts, slumber parties, dance lessons for Jr. High dances... OK, maybe too many memories, but all good. And your Mother was always there, kind and encouraging.
Tom Jones
September 22, 2012
Dear Dr. Dafoe and Family,
I want to express my deepest sympathy over the loss of Mrs. Dafoe who was a remarkable woman and one who helped make life growing up on Byrd Street an unforgettable journey of fun, frolic, adventure, laughter and pure joy! Her child-like nature and her calm, easy going manner helped set the tone for letting us be kids be kids who were ready to face the world with wide-eyed curiosity as well as occasional mischievousness!
She loved people, especially youth, and I will never forget all the trips to sports events in her Ford (I think it was a Ford!) station wagon filled with kids and an occasional day old french fry from Dag's!
I will never forget her warning us when Doctor was coming home from a long day at the office or hospital and how she always watched out for him, while allowing us to “quietly” go on with our adventures including the sleep-overs on the upper deck, the late night milk shakes and brownies, the basketball games in the attic, the haunted houses in the basement and so on.
Thanks Muriel and all of you for the fond childhood memories that will stay with me forever. My mom died this past May at 92 and while we miss her greatly, like Muriel, we had her for a good, long time and will be forever grateful for this!
All my best to all of you wonderful people!! Dick, sorry I missed you at the last reunion and I hope things are well with you and your family. I hope our paths cross sometime in the future.
With kind regards,
Tom Jones
Vickie Kasten Lembcke
September 21, 2012
Nancy, just wanted to say how sorry I am to read about your Mother's death. I lost both of my parents when I was in my thirty's but I sure do not imagen that it is any easier now. My thoughts and prayer are with you and your family.
Linda Arter
September 21, 2012
Dear Dr Dafoe and the Dafoe family. I remember going to the office to visit my mom Barb Jacquot while she was working and I was always made to feel welcome. Dr D and Mrs D as we called them always took the time to say hello and ask how I was doing. I hope that the many memories you have of your Mom will help you through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Linda Jacquot Arter
Diane Joyce
September 21, 2012
My condolences to the Dafoe family and in particular to Jane with whom I went to UW-Madison school of nursing.
Diane (Abraham) Joyce
DANIEL MAGNUSON
September 21, 2012
Mrs Dafoe was a mother to everyone. Remember going to the Appleton High School football and basketball game in that station wagon many time. God Bless her!!!
Dutch Lawson
September 21, 2012
My thoughts go out to the Dafoe family. Your mom made your house such a great place to hang out in the neighborhood when we were kids. I went past the Byrd street house this past summer when I was in town and remembered what a great time and place it was. She will be missed and remembered fondly.
Urban & Anne Van Hoof
September 21, 2012
My Mom and Dad, Urban & Anne Van Hoof, wanted me to pass on their condolances to the entire family. They thought so highly of Muriel & Dr. Dafoe when he was there doctor. They frequently recount the wonderful people they were and the excellent care that both provided over the years. Muriel was always so uplifting and wonderful to be around and she certainly brightened up the office and those waiting to see the doctor.
God bless all the Dafoe's.
Mary Jones
September 20, 2012
To all of the beautiful Dafoe children and Dr. Dafoe,
You have my deepest sympathy. I have SO MANY wonderful memories of Mrs. Dafoe. She was the kindest, most laid back mother I was ever around. I remember playing in your dining room with her crystal goblets, good china and silver flatware! I also remember one time Mrs. Dafoe was driving a carload of kids home from Riverview County Club after we had all been swimming and we were down in the flats and the tire fell off of the station wagon. She never got upset! She stayed calm and just took care of business. Wow, she was the neatest lady and I am blessed to have had her be such a big part of my life. I will cherish the wonderful and many memories I have of her and all of you! I will keep you close to my heart in this difficult time. May God bless all of you and hold you close! Big hugs and much love to all of you!
Ron Mann
September 20, 2012
We have many fond memories of both Muriel and Bill from our years at Covenant Church in Appleton. I've told the story of the "oatmeal and raisins for breakfast every morning" many, many times over the years!
September 20, 2012
Sounds like a wonderful person!
Linda Probst
September 20, 2012
When Muriel had a rummage sale & she would be working her teen daughters would run it. I remember my mom going to one & getting so many beautiful expensive clothes for me at a very reasonable price. For that I say thank you. I was the oldest of 13 children & we didn't have a lot of money back then. Now we live only a couple blocks from the Dafoe homestead in Appleton.
Nancy (Bierman) Rhinehart
September 20, 2012
My sympathies are with the family. I first got to know the family when they moved to Appleton and I was about 8 yrs. old and lived next door. In later years, I babysat Barbara, Nancy and Diane I knew Dr. and Mrs. Dafoe moved to Fla. I thought about them often.
September 20, 2012
May Mrs Dafoe She was a Great Friend She always wanted to know What i was up to. May she Rest in peace
Jim Volkman
September 20, 2012
As a 7 year old (classmate of Sarah) playing at the Dafoe home on the way home after school my memories are the big grandfather clock and the fun chaos of the teenagers with their music and food. Mrs. Dafoe definately enjoyed being around young people. My prayers are with your family as you reflect on a wonderful life, well-lived.
Steve Lythjohan
September 20, 2012
Sarah and family my deepest sympathies over the loss our your dear mother. She was a very special person one who made a difference to everyone who knew her. She will be missed by all but she left a small piece of her in our hearts and she will not be forgotten.
September 20, 2012
May the Hearer of prayer carry you through this difficult time , you have my deepest sympathy.(Psalms 65:2)
September 20, 2012
Dan&Dee Dee are prayers are with you Joyce& willie
Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results
Make a Donation
in Muriel Dafoe's name
Memorial Events
for Muriel Dafoe
How to support Muriel's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Muriel Dafoe's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
