Muriel was born on November 13, 1935 to Alf and Gladys Gibbons in the village of Thorganby, in Lincolnshire, England. She grew up on the farm with her older brother, John. The farm was located on the end of the landing strip of Binbrook RAF base, where the U.S. bomber 'Memphis Belle' made her final landing. Muriel attended the Royal Academy of Music where she became an accomplished classical pianist. Much to her mother's dismay, she preferred playing what was called Boogie Woogie Jazz. From 1953 to 1955 she was invited to accompany world renowned Big Band Leader, Ted Heath and his orchestra whenever they played in Northern England. She also attended Nursing School where she was certified as a registered nurse.
In 1955 she met U.S. Airman, Kenneth Garman, whom she married on July 21, 1957 at Lockbourne AFB in Columbus, Ohio. They were then stationed at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska where their only child, Lesley, was born. In 1965 they moved to Fresno, Ca., and in 1976 Ken bought Muriel her own flower shop, known at the time as The Korner Florist at First and Bullard. Her daughter returned from Maui in 1978 and started working in the flower shop with her mom. They worked together until Muriel retired in 1990 and moved to Pismo Beach where Ken was working for PG&E. Lesley continued to run the flower shop until she closed it in 2004.
Muriel is survived by her husband, Ken, of 55 years; her daughter, Lesley; two grandchildren, Christopher and Alyssa; and five great-granddaughters, Alona, Angelina, Jadyn, Giana and Katalina; her brother, John and his wife, Janet; and nephews, Keith and Philip and their families. A Graveside Service will be held at Fresno Memorial Gardens, on Monday, October 8, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Please support your favorite local florist. Farewell, 660 West Locust Avenue, Fresno, California (559)440-0484
Published in the Fresno Bee on October 6, 2012
In 1955 she met U.S. Airman, Kenneth Garman, whom she married on July 21, 1957 at Lockbourne AFB in Columbus, Ohio. They were then stationed at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska where their only child, Lesley, was born. In 1965 they moved to Fresno, Ca., and in 1976 Ken bought Muriel her own flower shop, known at the time as The Korner Florist at First and Bullard. Her daughter returned from Maui in 1978 and started working in the flower shop with her mom. They worked together until Muriel retired in 1990 and moved to Pismo Beach where Ken was working for PG&E. Lesley continued to run the flower shop until she closed it in 2004.
Muriel is survived by her husband, Ken, of 55 years; her daughter, Lesley; two grandchildren, Christopher and Alyssa; and five great-granddaughters, Alona, Angelina, Jadyn, Giana and Katalina; her brother, John and his wife, Janet; and nephews, Keith and Philip and their families. A Graveside Service will be held at Fresno Memorial Gardens, on Monday, October 8, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Please support your favorite local florist. Farewell, 660 West Locust Avenue, Fresno, California (559)440-0484
Published in the Fresno Bee on October 6, 2012
Muriel was born on November 13, 1935 to Alf and Gladys Gibbons in the village of Thorganby, in Lincolnshire, England. She grew up on the farm with her older brother, John. The farm was located on the end of the landing strip of Binbrook RAF base, where the U.S. bomber 'Memphis Belle' made her final landing. Muriel attended the Royal Academy of Music where she became an accomplished classical pianist. Much to her mother's dismay, she preferred playing what was called Boogie Woogie Jazz. From 1953 to 1955 she was invited to accompany world renowned Big Band Leader, Ted Heath and his orchestra whenever they played in Northern England. She also attended Nursing School where she was certified as a registered nurse.
In 1955 she met U.S. Airman, Kenneth Garman, whom she married on July 21, 1957 at Lockbourne AFB in Columbus, Ohio. They were then stationed at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska where their only child, Lesley, was born. In 1965 they moved to Fresno, Ca., and in 1976 Ken bought Muriel her own flower shop, known at the time as The Korner Florist at First and Bullard. Her daughter returned from Maui in 1978 and started working in the flower shop with her mom. They worked together until Muriel retired in 1990 and moved to Pismo Beach where Ken was working for PG&E. Lesley continued to run the flower shop until she closed it in 2004.
Muriel is survived by her husband, Ken, of 55 years; her daughter, Lesley; two grandchildren, Christopher and Alyssa; and five great-granddaughters, Alona, Angelina, Jadyn, Giana and Katalina; her brother, John and his wife, Janet; and nephews, Keith and Philip and their families. A Graveside Service will be held at Fresno Memorial Gardens, on Monday, October 8, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Please support your favorite local florist. Farewell, 660 West Locust Avenue, Fresno, California (559)440-0484
Published in the Fresno Bee on October 6, 2012
In 1955 she met U.S. Airman, Kenneth Garman, whom she married on July 21, 1957 at Lockbourne AFB in Columbus, Ohio. They were then stationed at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska where their only child, Lesley, was born. In 1965 they moved to Fresno, Ca., and in 1976 Ken bought Muriel her own flower shop, known at the time as The Korner Florist at First and Bullard. Her daughter returned from Maui in 1978 and started working in the flower shop with her mom. They worked together until Muriel retired in 1990 and moved to Pismo Beach where Ken was working for PG&E. Lesley continued to run the flower shop until she closed it in 2004.
Muriel is survived by her husband, Ken, of 55 years; her daughter, Lesley; two grandchildren, Christopher and Alyssa; and five great-granddaughters, Alona, Angelina, Jadyn, Giana and Katalina; her brother, John and his wife, Janet; and nephews, Keith and Philip and their families. A Graveside Service will be held at Fresno Memorial Gardens, on Monday, October 8, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Please support your favorite local florist. Farewell, 660 West Locust Avenue, Fresno, California (559)440-0484
Published in the Fresno Bee on October 6, 2012
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
