Jerry Maye Mueller

Jerry Maye Mueller, 76, a 25 year East Wenatchee resident, passed away at her home on Wednesday afternoon, December 15, 2010. She was born on February 9, 1934 in San Francisco, California to the late William and Ada (Sailor) Wright. She was raised received her early education in Burkley, California, where she graduated from high school. She continued her education at San Francisco State College, where she later graduated with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and Communications. She went to work, following her graduation for the Bell Telephone Company in San Francisco. In the summer of 1959, Jerry Maye and a longtime friend, Phoebe, packed up and pioneered their way up to Fairbanks, Alaska in a Volkswagen. She immediately went to work at a local radio station and while there, she met Richard D. Mueller. They were later married on August 13, 1960 at Circle City, Alaska along the banks of the Yukon River. Her husband, Richard worked for the B.L.M. Bureau of Land Management at that time. They made their first home together in the outskirts of Fairbanks in the log cabin that Richard had built. They spent their first year together living in the cabin before moving into town. During that first year, they shared many outdoor adventures together including a 5 day canoe trip. In 1963, they moved to Anchorage, Alaska and she later went to work for the State of Alaska with the Division of Aviation as an Airport Right of Way Assistant. During this same time, Richard went to work for the Alaska State Highway Department. He had previously become a Pilot and often flew sportsman in to various destinations for their hunting and fishing adventures. While they resided in Anchorage, Jerry was very active in the Catholic Church and was teaching the Y.C.S. classes. She was active with the League of Womens Voters and loved to garden. In 1985, they moved to East Wenatchee, where she briefly worked for the Asamera Mining operation in the late 1980's. She also became a World Book Encyclopedia Representative. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wenatchee, the Christian Women's Writers Group and the Senior Writers group and had been involved as a leader in the Just Housing Advocacy Group. She made Richard promise to finish his book of Alaskan Adventures. She had recently become quite involved in tracing both sides of her families genealogy. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Richard D. "Rich" Mueller, East Wenatchee; two daughters and one son-in-law, Gretchen Keating, East Wenatchee and Katrina & Jeff Pappas, Phoenix, Arizona; one brother, William V. Wright, Santa Rosa, CA; two sisters, Theresa (Mel) Clinch, Grae Eagle, CA and Frances "Ellen" Dowling, Burnsbille, NC and one grandson, Marlon Keating, Redmond, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents, one infant sister and one brother-in-law, Mike Dowling. A Mass of Christian Burial Service will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 625 S. Elliott Ave., Wenatchee, on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. with the Reverend Father Thomas Kuykendall Celebrant. The services will conclude at the church. Please visit Jerry's memorial and sign her online guest book at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com . Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee

Jerry Maye Mueller

February 9, 1934 - December 15, 2010