Obituary of Muriel Phenix

Muriel B. Phenix, 92, of West Peoria, Illinois died Monday, April 30, 2018 at the Unity Point Methodist Hospital of Peoria. The family would like to thank the Unity Point Methodist Hospital for their exceptional compassionate care and kindness. Muriel was born in Hucknall Nottinghamshire England on March 6, 1926. Muriel grew up on the 3,000-acre estate of Stanford Hall located outside of Loughborough England where her family was employed by Sir Julien and Lady Phyllis Cahn. It was an unconventional upbringing but one that afforded many opportunities and adventures for Muriel and her sister. At the conclusion of WWII, Muriel had a desire to come to” the land of opportunity”, the United States. U.S. friends that she met in England offered to assist with her immigration to the U.S. In 1949 she boarded the Queen Mary for New York. She briefly lived in Southern Illinois with her U.S. friends before accepting a position to work for Mr. and Mrs. Arthur G. Heidrich in Peoria until her marriage in 1951. Muriel worked for 16 years as a hostess at Jumer’s Castle Lodge greeting all guests in her great genteel style. In 2001 Jumer’s reopened as the Peoria Castle Lodge where she became the “in-house gardner”. She was able to use expertise and passion for gardening to create the beautiful gardens leading to a Peoria Orchid Award for the Lodge. Giving back to the community and other was always important part of Muriel’s life and character. She was the Girl Scott Leader for Troop 567 for 6 years; a 30-gallon American Red Cross Donor blood and plateletpheresis donors; Salvation Army volunteer and was always available to volunteer her time to help others. In her 80’s, Muriel continued her passion for volunteerism by becoming a reading tutor at Calvin Coolidge School where she could share her love of reading (and life lessons) with the young students. Muriel is survived by daughter, Mary (Arlie) Tucker of Libertyville, IL. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Charles Phenix, and son, Paul R. Phenix and sister, Barbara MacIntosh. Cremation rites will be accorded, and a private graveside service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Peoria.