Muriel Jane (nee Schait) MacDonald

Muriel (Schait) MacDonald, age 91, currently of Rehoboth Beach, DE passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 21, 2024.

Muriel’s wake will be 4-8 pm on Monday February 5th at Gray Funeral Directors, 12 Springfield Ave., Cranford. Her funeral service will begin at 11:00 am on Tuesday February 6, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church, 11 Springfield Ave., Cranford. Her final resting place will be in Fairview Cemetery, Westfield. To view a tribute of Muriel’s life, please go to grayfuneralhomes.com. Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to the: First Presbyterian Church in Cranford.

Muriel was born and raised in Cranford, NJ. She resided in Linden after getting married in 1956, but ultimately moved back to her hometown. She also resided in Toms River, The Villages in Florida, and Tinton Falls. She left NJ, two years ago to be closer to her family in Delaware. 

She is the daughter of Dr. George F. Schait and Katherine Unhoch, and loving wife of Robert L. MacDonald of 58 years, all who predecease her.  She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Joanne and Chris Geschickter and grandchildren, Ryan and Lindsay, currently of Rehoboth Beach, DE.  

Muriel graduated Cranford High School in 1950 and worked for J.P. Morgan & Company on Wall Street in New York City. She was a page girl delivering messages and after a year was promoted to secretary for the VP of Corporate Trust.  After getting married to Robert in 1956, she worked as a teller at Union County Trust in Linden. She then worked part time at the First Presbyterian Church office when she became a mother and homemaker.

She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Cranford which she joined in 1946.  She especially enjoyed Margaret Green and Couples Club.  She joined Eastern Star in 1951 and has had over 70 years of service. 

Over the years, she loved traveling, especially “cruising” with her family. Recently she became quite the Rummikub player.

She was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and very proud grandmother. She will always be affectionately remembered as Mimi.