TRENTON and SWANS ISLAND – Muriel Staples Rich, 63, of Swans Island and Trenton, died unexpectedly, Sept. 17, 2004, at a Bangor hospital. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her death. She was born on Nov. 28, 1940, on Swans Island the daughter of Maynard and Ethel (Wheaton) Staples. Muriel graduated from Pemetic High School in 1959, and went to marry Robert “Chummy” Rich for 38 years. She recently retired from the Maine State Ferry Service. A couple of her favorite things in her shortened life were to watch her grandsons play their sports, whom she loved dearly. She also loved to play bingo. Muriel was a devoted mom, grandmother and daughter. She is survived by her mother, Ethel Staples of Swans Island; a brother, Donald Staples and wife, Bonnie of Swans Island; a son, Douglas Rich of Ellsworth; two grandsons, Jensen and Jordan Rich, both of Ellsworth; an aunt, several uncles, many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Muriel was predeceased by her father, Maynard Staples. Graveside funeral services will be held 12:15 p.m. Sept. 22, 2004, at the Rose Hill Cemetery, Swans Island, with the Rev. Ken Dutille officiating. At the family’s request, gifts in Muriel’s memory may be made to the Bar Harbor Banking & Trust Company, Main Street, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679 to benefit the Ellsworth High School boys soccer team. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald Funeral Home, 1139 Main St., Mount Desert, ME 04660.
MURIEL STAPLES RICH
