Over the course of 100 years, Muriel has seen a lot of change. This past March, Muriel, a resident of Pacifica Senior Living Pinehurst, celebrated her 100th birthday with friends, family and loved ones.
Muriel is an active member of the community who lived an incredible life. She originally hails from Sheffield, England, where she lived out her early years being known as the spunky and daring one among her friends. On Dec 23 1944, Muriel married the love of her life, Bob and the two had their first child - a daughter named Jean - shortly afterward.
In a recent interview with Molly Roberts of Shoshane News (A Full Life: Muriel Staley), Muriel explained how she and her husband met: “I was in a tram car. He was on the same tram as I was, with another man sitting in front of me. When we were getting off the bus, he reached around, and said, ‘hey, will you marry me?' I thought he was pretty silly. But I ended up marrying him.”
Bob was an American, stationed in England while serving with the U.S. Air Force, so once he was honorably discharged, he and Muriel made the decision to move to America. With a newborn baby in tow, the Staley’s set out on a ship headed for Washington, leaving her home and family behind for the promise of a great adventure.
Muriel documented the experience in journals and writings, saying: “I watched the White Cliffs of Dover, and my parents on the dock fade away, as the tranquil sea, my friend, calmed my turmoiled mind.” (A Full Life: Muriel Staley, Roberts, 2023)
From Washington, Muriel and Bob moved to Silver Valley in 1956, and had two more daughters, Peggy and Patty. The family lived a wonderful life together, in which Muriel was constantly keeping active with yoga classes and weekly Scrabble games, which helped keep her fit and her mind active, even into her later years. Muriel and Bob were married for 76 years, until Bob’s passing in 2019, at the age of 96.
Now, Muriel enjoys living at Pacifica Senior Living Pinehurst, where she is a beloved member of the community.