Muriel S. Morash

Muriel Ann Sylvester Morash, 84, died peacefully on April 22, 2015. Born on October 24, 1930, in Schenectady, Muriel was the oldest of Arvilla Chase Sylvester and Norman Sylvester's three daughters. Muriel graduated from the former Mont Pleasant High School and Mildred Elley Business School, and was employed by the General Electric Company before marrying Merrill G. Morash, whom she met at church, on New Year's Eve, 1949. Together they raised five children in the modest home they built in Colonie on land given to them as a wedding gift by Merrill's parents.

Muriel's faith was her bedrock, and devotion to her Lord and her family defined her purpose.
Muriel has been recognized as the longest-standing member of Lisha's Kill Reformed Church in Schenectady. She lived her Christian witness by actively serving in the church, beginning with babysitting in the nursery and accompanying the junior choir as their pianist at age 16, to teaching Sunday school, youth group and vacation bible school; spearheading church dinners and the annual Thanksgiving pie-making event; singing in the choir; coordinating a project to make lap robes for area charities; helping renovate the church's lounge and kitchen; sitting on numerous committees; and serving as deacon, women's guild leader, and denominational representative. In her later years, Muriel could be found standing at the sanctuary door after each Sunday's worship service, sending parishioners into their new week with a hug and smile.

At home, Muriel employed the Ten Commandments, self-discipline, thrift and common sense to set the bar high for her family. There were few chances to sit on one's laurels, and leisure was reserved for Sunday afternoons. Muriel demonstrated a lifelong love of mastering new skills and became proficient in sewing, home canning, furniture refinishing, painting, knitting, crocheting, and baking. She enjoyed immensely driving her gleaming red Ford Mustang.

From the mid-1970s to mid-1980's, Muriel volunteered and was later employed in area schools as a teacher's aide for special needs children. She loved helping little ones explore new ideas and reach their potential.

In retirement, Muriel and Merrill traveled to a handful of different cities and towns in the United States — all named Albany — but generally preferred their back porch to foreign destinations. A believer in the merits of keeping busy, Muriel knitted 50 pairs of mittens and numerous hats annually for the homeless and incarcerated.

In addition to her husband of 51 years and her parents, Muriel was predeceased by her sister Nancy (David) Sylvester Burton. She is survived by children Michael (Janet) of Alva, FL; Mark (Lisa) of Palatka, FL; Melissa of East Kingston, NH; Matthew of Albany; and Marilyn of Albany; as well as her sister Norma (Al) Coffey of Bangor, ME; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and nine nieces and nephews.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Nadine Washington and the extraordinary staff of the Blue Unit at the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center in Albany for providing loving and competent care throughout Muriel's stay.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial service celebrating Muriel's life on Thursday, May 7, at 1:00 p.m. at Lisha's Kill Reformed Church, 2131 Central Avenue, Schenectady, with a time of fellowship and desserts immediately following. Interment will be private. For those who wish, contributions may be made to Lisha's Kill Reformed Church in memory of Muriel Morash.