CUMBERLAND – Muriel Searles, 96, of Gray Road, went to be with her Lord Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011. With family at her side, Muriel died peacefully at Brentwood Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Yarmouth, where she spent the last few weeks of her life.
Muriel will be forever remembered for her strong Christian faith and her devotion to family. Her service to the Lord was expressed daily in her kind words, loving smile, sense of humor and the ability to make everyone feel right at home. Born Muriel Gladys Robbins, March 14, 1915, she was the daughter of Maurice Robbins and Maude Miller Robbins of Union. Muriel was raised by her grandmother, Addie Robbins, in Appleton. Muriel was the valedictorian of her high school class and then moved with her grandmother to Portland, where she attended Husson College. She met Mervelle S. Searles while she was working for Kearns Bros. Mervelle would later say he was getting his hair cut when he saw a beautiful woman in a fur coat walk past the shop window, and he told the barber, “That’s the woman I’m going to marry.” And that’s exactly what happened Jan. 17, 1942, in Portland. Muriel and Mervelle had four children and made their home in Lubec for 13 years. They moved to New Jersey around 1956 and then to Cape Elizabeth in 1961. The couple lived in Alfred for many years before moving to Rockwood in 1990. Mervelle died in 1993. Recently, Muriel had split time between the home of a son and daughter-in-law in Rockwood, and the home of a daughter in Cumberland. Through the years, Muriel was an active member and volunteer at several churches. She taught Sunday school and Pioneer Girls. Muriel loved to cook. Dutch relish, carrot cake and cookies were some of her specialties. No one was turned away from her table and she made sure everyone had double helpings. Hospitality was one of the many gifts she passed on to the rest of her family. She also loved the Red Sox and the Celtics, and spent many evenings cheering on her teams. A few of her favorite players were Jim Rice, Dwight Evans and Larry Bird. Muriel took great joy in holidays and all family gatherings. She was proud of the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she attended countless sports games, music concerts and other activities.
Muriel was predeceased by her husband; and a son, Mervelle “Mel” Searles. She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Hodgdon of Cumberland; her son, Ronald Searles and daughter-in-law, Bonnie Searles, of Rockwood; her daughter, Marlene Maxwell of Brunswick; 10 grandchildren, Bruce Hodgdon, Brian Hodgdon, Brent Searles, Jill Vines, Chris Searles, Justin Maxwell, Jennifer Dumont, Trevor Maxwell, Robyn Mertens and Jason Searles; 10 great-grandchildren, Brandelyn Hodgdon, Summer Hodgdon, Danny Vines, River Hodgdon, Maddie Dumont, Sage Maxwell, Abbie Dumont, Elsie Maxwell, Megyn Mertens and Graeme Mertens; and several close friends, who she considered family, including Leonard Brooks, Ann Brann, Carol Doherty, Judy Young and Kathi Benton.
A burial of ashes ceremony will be held in Lubec. The date has not been set. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Salvation Army, 30 Warren Ave., Portland, ME 04104 or Manna Ministries, 629 Main St., Bangor, ME 04401.