Muriel Diggory Greenhalgh left this world for the peace and love of our Heavenly Father on February 24, 2023 in Williamsburg, Virginia. She was born in 1938 in Montreal Canada. She was the daughter of Claude and Rollande Diggory, a bilingual family, English and French. The family immigrated to Los Angeles, California when she was eight and then to Rockville, Maryland when she was 14. She graduated from Richard Montgomery High School in 1956.
We will never forget her infectious laughter and happiness. She never passed up any opportunity to help anyone. A “Martha Stewart of homemaking”, she put her passion and expertise into everything to do with the home and family. She was a gourmet cook and was devoted to teaching others how to sew.
Muriel was an expert in the Bishop Method of clothing construction and incorporated it in all her teaching. The Bishop Method was a revolutionary advance in the art of sewing that saved time, resulting in faster, easier sewing and custom-made clothes of high quality. By 17 years old, she was managing a fabric store and teaching sewing for the store’s customers. At that same time, she was also a sewing teacher for the Montgomery County Adult Education Program. She was making all her own clothes, including her wedding gown.
After 3 ½ years of dating Jack Greenhalgh, who was a midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, they married upon his graduation in 1960 and she became a navy wife. It was a true partnership with lots of social activities and entertaining in their home. After 20 years and 20 household moves, they settled in Virginia Beach and then to Williamsburg, Virginia. She was very active in the American Sewing Guild, including making a variety of items for charitable causes. The active community of US Naval Academy Class of 1960 graduates and their other Navy friends were a source of much joy. Homecomings in Annapolis and travel to Alaska and France with classmates were never to be forgotten fun for her. The highlights of her favorite memories were family holiday dinners and skiing vacations. Dear friends from the American Sewing Guild and the Wintergreen and Peninsula Ski Clubs we’re very important to her.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the Patriots Colony medical clinic, Dr. Basciano and his staff, to the Patriots Colony Convalescent Center and to Riverside Hospice for the love and care they provided to Muriel.
A Celebration of Life Mass will be conducted at Saint Bede’s Catholic Church, 3686 Ironbound Rd, Williamsburg, VA at 11 AM on 9 March, 2023. A reception will follow at the church. Muriel will be inurned at the United States Naval Academy columbarium at 11 AM on 2 June 2023.
She leaves behind her husband of 64 years, Jack Greenhalgh, her son Scott David Greenhalgh and daughter-in-law Kathy of Danielson, Connecticut, her daughter Wendy Ann and son-in-law Jason Harris of Chesapeake, Virginia. She also leaves behind her grandson Matthew Greenhalgh and granddaughter-in-law Raquel, granddaughter Ashley Harris and grandson Ethan Harris, her sister Shirley Hilton and brother-in-law Bill, of Barnesville Maryland and her brother-in-law Bill Greenhalgh of Virginia Beach Virginia and, step-granddaughter Charity and her husband Dave, of Rhode Island, step great grandchildren Patience, Christian, Sabastian, Channing and Felicity, many loved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Condolences can be expressed at recent obits at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com
In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcomed by Grove Christian Outreach Center, 8800 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, VA 23185.
