Muriel Bernice Stevens, 88, of Hackettstown, NJ, passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2019, in Oxford, NJ.
She was born on January 23, 1931, in Hackettstown, NJ, the child of Robert A. and Laura A. (Wilken) Smith .
She was a 1948 graduate of Hackettstown High School.
Muriel married Robert J. Stevens in June of 1950. Together they had two children, son Dale and a daughter, Robin. Muriel was a lifelong resident in Hackettstown, and lived most of her many years on Mountain Avenue.
She worked at several iconic businesses in Hackettstown, beginning during her high school years at the Jigger Shop, on Main Street. She moved on to the Dairy Bar on Rt. 46 east of town, and remained there until the mid-sixties. Finally, she took a position at the Shop-Rite supermarket on Stiger St., later moving to the store in Mansfield, where she held the position of head cashier until her retirement in 1993. Wherever she worked, she was always well liked by both customers and co-workers. She was also a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Muriel loved to travel. She often visited distant family, traveling to Florida, Texas, Kentucky, New York and Oregon. At home in Hackettstown, her doors were never locked, and friends and family were welcome to drop in, and frequently did.
Her Christian faith was an important part of her life. She lived her faith every day, being generous in spirit and having a forgiving nature. She was quick to help anyone in need.
She is predeceased by her husband Robert, her sister Shirley Sitnik,, her brother Robert Smith, her sister Jane Mooney and her daughter, Robin Chiniewicz.
She is survived by her son, Dale Stevens and his wife Wendy Copenhaver (Corning, NY), a sister Sharon-Lee Molnar and her husband John (Phillipsburg, NJ), a sister Sandra Garriques (Boonton, NJ), a brother Charles Smith and his wife Barbara (Bushnell, FL). Her five grandchildren are Dawn Chiniewicz (Oxford, NJ), Nicole Campbell (Portland, OR), Kendra Chamberlain (Baton Rouge, LA), Patrick Stevens (Ocean City, MD) and granddaughter Maxwell Stevens (Buffalo, NY). She also leaves behind four great-grandchildren.
Visitation hours are on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, from 2-4 pm and from 6-8 pm at the Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.
Graveside services will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, at 11:00 am at Union Cemetery, Hackettstown, NJ with Dr. Rev. Frank Fowler officiating.
Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at: www.cochranfuneral.com