Obituary of Muriel L. Durner

MYRTLE BEACH, SC Muriel Olsen Durner passed away on January 11, 2024, after a brief illness. Born on April 18, 1927 in Norwalk, CT, she spent most of her life in Norwalk and Westport, until moving to Myrtle Beach in 2022. Muriel was the first woman hired at the Westport Fire Department in 1972, as Secretary to the Chief. She proudly spent the next 28 years with Westport F.D., retiring in 2000. During major storms, hurricanes and blizzards, she would pull all-nighters, manning the phones and assisting those in need. Muriel was an avid reader and a master at Scrabble and word games. She got her driver's license at the same time her granddaughter did! She was well-known for her Christmas night open houses, serving up the best roast beef sandwiches in town. Entertainment was provided by family members playing the organ, ukulele and singing up a storm. Her door was always open. Many hours were spent there by her children's friends, working on cars, building dragsters, swimming in the pool and just hanging out. She loved telling the story of how Paul Newman was in her garage! She also had a ton of tales about her travels to Italy, where she was formally introduced to tiramisu! Muriel now joins her parents, Laurie and Henry Olsen; husband of 49-1/2 years, Art; cousins, Elsie, Aline and Carol; and a slew of other family and friends that went before her. Muriel leaves behind her son, Don (Kathy), daughter, Pat (Cindy), granddaughters, Lindsay (Rich) and Tracey (Eelco), and great-grandchildren, AJ and Adde. She was always boasting about her grandkids; she loved them dearly. Interment will be held privately at Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main Street, Westport.