Obituary of Muriel Payson

Muriel M. Payson who devoted her life to her family, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, June 29, 2016 at the age of 86. Muriel was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of the late Edward and Myrtle Logan. She grew up in the 1930’s and loved spending summers on Cape Cod. During her teen years, her father decided to leave his demanding position as VP of the Robbins Company to open his own business. He took the family on the road to find a location for the new venture. They spent some time in St. Petersburg, Florida where Muriel graduated from high school then moved on to earn her Associates Degree from West Palm Beach College. The family also spent time in Boothbay Harbor, Maine where the first shop was opened. Fate would bring her to meet Lewis “Dana” Payson, a friend of her brother Ted’s. Ted and Dana met at University of Maine and worked summers in a Boothbay restaurant near the shop. Finally, in 1952 they settled the shop in Wells. They named it the The Ogunquit Trading Post and sold jewelry, pottery, and moccasins. She helped her parents until she married Dana at The Little Church Around the Corner in New York City. Dana’s career brought them back to the Boston area. They were married for 45 years before Dana succumbed to cancer, a loss she felt every day. Muriel made her home in Burlington for 58 years. She was an extremely proud, independent, and resilient individual and she was able to remain in the home where she raised her family until her last days. Her days in Burlington were centered around the family, church, and neighborhood. She felt very fortunate to live in a great neighborhood surrounded by longtime friends. She enjoyed maintaining her home, inside and out. She loved traveling around the country with her family and beloved husband Dana. She was very active in the Congregational Church of Burlington. She helped as the church secretary for a number of years and was a longtime member of the ministry that cooked and volunteered at Rosie’s Place in Boston. She will be remembered for her devotion to her family, faith in God, and as a “Good Friend” to many. Muriel was the beloved wife of the late Lewis “Dana” Payson. She was the loving mother of Marshall E. Payson of Burlington, Mark D. Payson of Brighton, and Anne M. Payson of Cambridge. She was predeceased by her brother; Edward J. Logan. She was the loving aunt of Clark Logan of Wells, ME; Sally Temm and Melinda Martin both of Scarborough, ME. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Tuesday July 5 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 6 at 11 a.m. at the First Parish Cemetery, 180 York Street, York, Maine where she will be buried alongside her husband, brother, sister-in-law and parents, Edward and Myrtle Logan. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. For directions obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net