Muriel was born Nov. 11, 1937, to Alice and Herb Maschmedt and went into the loving arms of her Savior on Feb. 22, 2018.

On her first birthday her parents realized that she had a nickname when her cards were addressed to “Chi Chi.” This was because Herb called her, “Daddy’s little chick-a-dee,” so she would say, “I’m Da Da’s Chi Chi.”

Murial was born and raised in Seattle and graduated from Roosevelt High School.

At a very early age, Muriel developed a strong love for animals, especially dogs and horses. Growing up, she owned and showed collie dogs. Her summers were spent on Whidbey Island where she would be found riding retired race horses from the Hillis Farm, which is now Useless Bay Golf Club.

She met the love of her life, Donald Edwin Anderson, and they were married in November 1957.

Muriel worked for Whidbey Island Bank for several years before working for the South Whidbey School District as a para-educator, where she tutored many students with their math and reading. She retired after 30 years.

She was active in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

Don and Muriel’s farmhouse was always open for anyone in need. They had Japanese exchange students, nieces and nephews and aging relatives live with them over the years.

Muriel was on the Whidbey Island Fair Board and was the catalyst for getting dog 4H started on the island, where she was also the first dog 4H leader.

She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 53 years, Don, and her parents.

She is survived by her two children, son Clay Anderson (Candy) and daughter Melissa Newman (Paul); brother Bob Maschmedt sisters Coyla Shepard and Marla Shelton; and five grandchildren: Carrie Allen, Chad Anderson, Micah Parrick, Montana Johnson and Hunter Newman.

She was an amazing grandmother and she always had time for her grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, whom she treated like her children.

Service is 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, at at the Assembly of God Church, Maxwelton Road, Langley.