Muriel Reed Sperber beloved mother grandmother nurse community leader and friend to all died peacefully on Monday June 14 at the Hospice Center in Port Orange.

Mrs. Sperber was born in East Providence Rhode Island and then moved to Thomaston Maine with her family when she was a baby.

In 1928 at the age of 18 she courageously moved to New York City to pursue a career in nursing. She attended the three-year school of nursing at Bellevue Memorial Hospital where she received her degree as a Registered Nurse.

While working at Bellevue Memorial Hospital she met a dashing young medical intern named Perry who was immediately taken with her diminutive size her beauty and her ?take charge? attitude. They were eventually married on September 28 1939.

She moved to Daytona Beach with her young family in 1950 where she helped her husband establish his medical practice as the first dermatologist/allergist in the area. Together they also owned and operated two well-known tourist attractions the Sea-Zoo and Bongoland.

Although she no longer practiced nursing as a career she immersed herself into numerous organizations and community projects becoming a caregiver to all in need.

The family home was a haven for many of her children?s friends and extended family as well. Everyone was treated to that very special kind of love and care that she and Dr. Sperber provided so unselfishly.

Muriel became a member of the First Baptist Church of Daytona in 1951 and proudly taught Sunday School there for almost 45 years.

Some of the many community organizations to which she belonged were:
Past President of the Volusia-Flagler County Council of PTAs YWCA Board of Directors Medical Auxiliary Mental Health Association Bellringers The Museum of Arts and Sciences a 75 year member of The Eastern Star Grace Chapter #93 of Thomaston Maine lifetime member of the Bellevue Alumni Association and The Palmetto Club and its Devotions and Home Life Groups.

Muriel gave of herself her time her energy and her money to assist untold numbers of people in her community and she considered it an honor to do so. It was for these outstanding attributes that she was honored as the Halifax Area Kiwanis ?Woman of the Year? and on her 90th birthday was honored by Mayor Piggotte of South Daytona who proclaimed it to be ?Muriel Sperber Day.?

She enjoyed baking and sharing her wonderful culinary treats with friends and family. In addition to knitting and sewing Muriel was a prolific and accomplished quilt maker who created untold numbers of magnificent quilts that she gave to her loved ones and strangers alike.

Muriel was predeceased by her devoted and loving husband of fifty years Dr. Perry A. Sperber. She is survived by her daughter Gayle Freeman and Dr. Hal Kushner Daytona Beach; her son Perry Sperber and his wife Carol South Daytona; her granddaughter Debby Eichenblatt South Daytona; her grandson Bryan Sperber his wife Lara and her great grandson Aaron Phoenix Arizona; her niece and loving companion Maryon Johnston Gorham Maine.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday June 23rd from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm at Ormond Funeral Home. Funeral Services for Muriel will be Thursday June 24th at 2:00 pm at Ormond Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Hospice Care Center in Port Orange.

Condolences to the family may be sent via the family guestbook at www.ormondfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Ormond Funeral Home.