Muriel Flora (Villiard) Desjardins

Muriel Flora (Villiard) Desjardins, a lifelong resident of Lincoln, Rhode Island, left us on February 27, surrounded by her loving family. 

A graduate of Rhode Island College and Providence College, from which she earned a master’s degree, Muriel’s passion for education drew her to a more than 30-year career in the Lincoln School District where she worked as a special education teacher and administrator.  In retirement, she continued her commitment to teaching by volunteering in the SPRED program, providing religious education to special needs students.  

Muriel was an avid reader who easily escaped into the pages of a book and delighted in passing them along to friends.  She enjoyed classical music, a night at the ballet, and stylish clothes, passions passed along to her by her treasured Aunt Therèse.  

Muriel's life was rich with love and laughter, especially shared with her beloved husband, Andy, to whom she was married for 54 years. Their love story began in high school and blossomed into a lifelong partnership and an unbreakable bond. She was a devoted mother to their daughter, Danielle, and a supportive mother-in-law to Danielle’s husband, Jim. She cherished her nieces and nephews.  

Muriel was the daughter of the late Gerard and Flora Villiard from the village of Manville in Lincoln, and grew up speaking both French and English.  Her French Canadian heritage was the source of an exceptional tourtière recipe which she enjoyed cooking and sharing.  She especially enjoyed holiday dinners at her brother’s home with her extended family. 

Muriel leaves behind her husband, Andy, her daughter, Danielle Schley and husband Jim of Warren, Vermont, and her brother, Roger Villiard and his wife Stephanie of Cumberland, as well as a community of friends and relatives who were drawn to her sense of humor, her no-nonsense attitude, and her strength. She will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.

The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the Miriam Hospital Coronary Care Unit, Specialty Care Unit, and the Palliative Team for their kindness and loving care, as well as the staff at HopeHealth Philip Hulitar Hospice Center for their compassionate support.  

Her funeral will be held Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 9AM from Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Rd., Lincoln with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM in St. Jude Church, 301 Front St., Lincoln.  Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Manville.  Visitation Monday 5-7PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be touched by donations to the HopeHealth Philip Hulitar Hospice at 1085 N Main St, Providence, RI 02904 in Muriel’s memory.

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