Muriel Adler, z”l, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 23, 2023, surrounded by her loving husband, Irv Adler; daughters, Joyce Adler and DeBi Strode; and son-in-law, Ran Strode. She is also survived by grandchildren, Daniel, Sarah, Zac, Bonnie and Chauncey; and seven great-grandchildren.
Muriel was one of the founding members of Kol Shalom, Community for Humanistic Judaism, in Portland.
Muriel’s amazing life’s journey was long, full and accomplished. Here are few snippets of her remarkable life.
Muriel was born in Chicago, Ill., Dec. 12, 1926, to immigrant parents. At age 19, she married the love of her life, a sailor (Irv) and remained married to him for 76½ years until her death.
A model trendsetter for many of the woman of her generation at a time when women were expected to stay home and be a housewife, Muriel had other ideas and dreams. She pursued her passions and went to junior college when her youngest daughter was 5 years old. She earned a bachelor’s degree and a full scholarship to Northwestern University, where she earned a master’s degree in Sociology. She became a professor and taught Sociology at Wright Jr. College. When teaching and sociology no longer quite fit her dreams and goals, she returned to school at Jane Adams College of Social Work (University of Illinois, Chicago Campus) earning an MSW. She then went on to have a very successful private practice – a career that she was passionate about. She also worked for Traveler’s Aid with international adoptions and travelled to Korea several times.
Muriel cared deeply for human rights and equality for all. She tried to cure the world of social injustices by fighting for civil rights, marching with Martin Luther King Jr. and trying to integrate her “white” neighborhood in the 1960s.
In 1989, grandbabies brought Muriel and Irv to Oregon, where she continued working as a therapist until she retired at age 80. Muriel and Irv were pivotal to the creation and growth of Kol Shalom, where she continued to try and cure the world of its injustices. She was proud to call herself a cultural and humanistic Jew. She embraced culture from her Jewish heritage, to her love of music, theater, opera, dance, art, books, travel and food. She enjoyed nature, beach walks and laughing.
Yes, she enjoyed life to the fullest. She and Irv were models for active aging. Age was only a number to them. At least until that wretched Alzheimer’s disease took her brilliant mind, little by little and bit by bit. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).
The best way to honor her memory is to continue her fight against social injustice. Volunteer, email your elected officials, and get out and just talk to folks. Hug often and pursue your own passions.
A celebration of her life is planned for May 14, 2023.