Muriel Brungard

MURIEL V. BRUNGARD November 15, 1912 -March 7, 2008 Muriel Velmont Brungard, age 95, of Chico, passed away on March 7, 2008. Muriel was born in New York City, New York to Velmont and Pauline Bogan-Sallada. At the age of 4, Muriel was diagnosed with polio, which affected her right leg. She never let the fact that walking was difficult for her at times slow her down. Muriel met the love of her life William "Gus" Brungard in 1930 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and married July 9, 1932. Together they ran their own business in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and later in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Muriel worked for the American Cancer Society for 40 years. Muriel and Gus had a daughter, Betty. After their daughter moved to Chico, they followed and Muriel continued to work for the American Cancer Society as a Field Representative traveling from Bakersfield to the California/Oregon Border. She was involved in her community by serving on commissions for the City of Chico and starting a hospice program through Enloe. Muriel was a world traveler. She also enjoyed cruises and shared her experiences with her family and friends after her many trips. She enjoyed reading, art, music, and she took up the banjo later in life. Muriel loved to spend time with her family and friends talking about investments, history and politics. She spent time talking to her granddaughter and great-granddaughter about their college education and learning what they were learning. Muriel will always be remembered for being independent and her love for her family. In October of 2007, Muriel moved to Windchime where she made friends and lived until the end of February. Muriel was one to always strike up a conversation with anyone and always made friends easily. Muriel was preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth Grant; her brother, Roland Sallada; husband, William "Gus" Brungard and grandson, John H. Dougherty. She is survived by her daughter, Betty (Don) Cox of Chico; granddaughter, Erin Dougherty of Chico; great-granddaughter, Patty Dougherty of Chico; nephew, Phillip Grant and wife Karla of Hamden, Massachusetts, and many friends. Services are under the direction of Brusie Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society. A service for Muriel will be held in the chapel at Brusie Funeral Home, 626 Broadway, Chico, Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Muriel's family would like to thank the staff at WindChime, her caregivers, and the staff at Chico Care for making Muriel's last days as wonderful as possible.