Muriel Blanche Clare Curry
October 12, 1929 ~ February 3, 2023
Born in:
Orange, NJ
Resided in:
New Haven, CT
Muriel Blanche Clare Curry, 93, of New Haven, CT, passed away peacefully at home after a long illness on February 3, 2023. Muriel was born October 12, 1929, in Orange, NJ, to the late Thomas and Blanche Green Clare. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 56 years, George; her sisters, Jacqueline Clare and Gail Hawley; her brothers, Thomas Clare and Ronald Johnson. Muriel is survived by her daughter, Paula Curry, and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, family and friends.
Muriel attended New Haven Public Schools and graduated from Hillhouse High School. In 1948 she began employment at SNET Co. (Southern New England Telephone Company), as the first African American Telephone Operator in the company’s history, opening the door for many people of color that followed. She retired from the phone company as a Manager in 1986. Muriel was a life member of the “Telephone Pioneers of America.” After retiring Muriel was heavily involved in Saint Martin De Porres Church. She was a member of the Black Catholic Caucus, along with the Knights and Ladies of Saint Peter Claver, Court 266 3rd Degree, Knights of Saint Peter Claver Ladies of Grace (Sister Delores P. Harrell Grand Chapter 33), and Knights of Saint Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary. Muriel was also a member of the Saint Martin De Porres Ladies Guild. She volunteered each Tuesday morning to assist with Saint Martin’s Soup Kitchen where the homeless were fed. Muriel loved gardening and volunteered for many years at the Pardee Garden in Hamden. There she assisted in growing and planting flowers that would eventually come to decorate downtown and other areas of New Haven. Her green thumb carried over as a founding member of the Chapel Seed Community Garden. Invested in her neighborhood, she was a member of the West River Neighborhood Association for many years.
Muriel was a people person and lived a full life. She loved to enjoy a good time! She knew every line dance and could often be seen joining a much younger crowd on the dance floor to participate in the Electric Slide, Cupid Shuffle and other line dances. She loved music and would frequent jazz clubs with her friends to enjoy local musicians. Muriel loved food, particularly her sweets! She loved to sip a mug of hot tea in the evening while enjoying a piece of cake, pie or cookies. She had a great sense of humor, and her laughter permeated any room that she was in.
Friends are invited to visit with her family on Thursday, February 16th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden with her funeral starting at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Beaverdale Memorial Park. To view a recording of the funeral service, please visit this link: Muriel Curry Funeral. Use password n2YQ8#9? for access.
Services
Visitation: February 16, 2023 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service - Hamden
2300 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-288-0800
Funeral Service: February 16, 2023 11:00 am
Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service - Hamden
2300 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-288-0800
Aunt Muriel You Will Be Missed and Never Forgotten I’ll Always Love You
To Be Absent From the Body Is To Be Present With the Lord R.I.Paradise 💋
Your Daughter,
Paula
Aunt Muriel, I will forever cherish fond memories of times shared together. The bond of friendship between you and my mother is an illustration of love, loyalty and sisterhood. The way you enjoyed yourself whatever the occasion by dancing, laughing, always celebrating ~ your zest for life and level of energy even at 90 years old was infectious! Thank you for the love, thank you for the joy…rest well 🙏🏽 Love you!
remembering the fond memories of your kind, caring, and giving manner…
may you rest in eternal peace and comfort.
With my love,
Jan,
your neighbor, your friend
My sincere condolences Paula. Your mom is beautiful and will be missed.
Yesterday we were in St. Olav’s Church in Oslo. We lit candles and offered mass in memory of you. Unfortunately the picture we took cannot be uploaded here.
Thank you for all the fond memories <3
Love,
Cousins Winnie, Sofie, Noah, Benjamin and Henning
Uncle Ben Ligon & Lisa.
To Curry Family:Sending my prayers 💐and condolences going miss Muriel. Remembering her at St Martin’s Xmas bazaar,pot lunch,and various other activities at the church.She and her road buddy Bobbie were always supporting,the Elk’s and Sunday jazz sessions, she loved to dance and sharpe dresser for all occasions. When her and George her late husband did the vow’s in backyard had beautiful affair,going miss that 😊and seeing that beautiful flower 🌺 garden at her home now going to be with family and friends RIP
Paula,
Words can’t express how sorry we are for your loss and pray for your strength in this difficult time.
Stacy & Virginia
Mrs. Muriel, I will never forget all the fun, jokes and trips to the elks. You are truly a bright light in the world that will be missed.
Thank you for coming to all my recitals and graduations. You made everyone around you so comfortable.
I’ll never for get the last Christmas we all had together. A night to remember.
What a pleasure your mom was. I had the pleasure of working with her on several committees at the church.What a beautiful loving soul and that smile was everything. I have sat in your seat. Please take comfort in all the beautiful memories you and mom made. I thank you for sharing her with us. She will definitely be missed
Leslie Garner. Frances And Linton Garners son.
Paula
Your Mom was very Special to me and I will miss her
She was always willing to help me and others
Memories can never be erased and I have so many
Thank You for Sharing Her with us
so miss. What a beautiful loving soul. Rest in Paradise. John: 14:2 In my fathers house are many Mansions. R.I.P.
Ms. Muriel was a pioneer. Truly one of kind. One of my fondest memories of her was from a summer barbeque. We were sitting outside, by the back door. She was telling us a story of her youth and was reflecting on her friendships over the decades. She reminded us that family and friends are the most important things in life. I told her, when I grow up, I wanted to be a trailblazer like her. She was an absolute joy.
We are sending you our love and support during this time of sorrow.
Our sincere condolences. We are so grateful for having spent part of a day this past summer chatting and learning from her some family history. May she rest in peace.
Lloyd & Maxine Johnston
I will miss you Mom, she was a very special person,
May she rest in peace.
Paula so sorry for your loss. So sorry I couldn’t be there my condolences my prayers are with you