Virginia May Mueller

Virginia May Mueller, 91, of Waterford, MI, died peacefully at home on November 9, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 20, 1933 in Keego Harbor, MI to Raymond and Muriel Freebury.  A proud 1951 graduate of Pontiac Central High School, Virginia attended Pontiac Business Institute and began working at GM Truck and Coach as a secretary. There she met the love of her life, Fred Mueller.

They were married on October 16, 1954 – Sweetest Day – and enjoyed 49 loving years of marriage, settling in Waterford, MI. Virginia was a devoted mother to Suzie, David, and Julie.  She was Fred’s caregiver after he became disabled, and dedicated her life to caring for him until his passing in 2003.

In her younger days, Virginia was an avid swimmer, performing with the high school synchronized swim team ‘The Dolphins’.  She was secretary of her bowling league and a member of a sorority and the local Town Hall.  She worked tirelessly year after year on Pontiac Central’s class reunions. 

She and Fred made years of memories with their kids camping all through Michigan with a group of friends.  After his retirement, she and Fred travelled extensively – Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, among other places.

She was a brilliant seamstress, and made her own wedding dress, as well as her daughter Julie’s,and countless other beautiful pieces of clothing.  She decorated amazing cakes out of her home for 30 years.  After selling their home and moving to a condo, Virginia discovered a passion for quilting, and spent the next 30 years creating stunning keepsakes for friends and family. She loved receiving photos of babies on their new quilt she’d made for them. She sewed countless patriotic quilts for US Veterans as a member of Miracle Quilts.

Having married into a German family who came from a town near the Goebel factory, Virginia soon became enamored with Hummel figurines, and amassed a large lifetime collection, which Fred called ‘Little Fellers’.

She loved knitting, and made all her children and grandchildren customized Christmas stockings.  She made hats which she donated to the homeless, and she knitted over 200 children’s sweaters for her church’s mission project.

A 70-plus year member of Central United Methodist Church in Waterford, Virginia enjoyed attending women’s circle meetings, working in the kitchen, singing in the Chancel Choir, and playing bells in the Handbell Choir.

She loved playing cards, feeding the birds, and watching Hallmark movies.  But most of all she loved her family.  Her six grandchildren were her world.

Virginia leaves behind her brother Ray (Sue) Freebury, daughters Suzie Thiel and Julie Strobel (Mark) and son David (Malena) Mueller, and her beloved grandchildren Scott, Nick (Stacey), Lindsey (Jeff), Kevin, Ethan (Emma), and Hannah, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Muriel Freebury and her brothers Richard and Jim Freebury.

A celebration of her life will be held at Central United Methodist Church, 3882 Highland Rd, Waterford MI 48328 on Saturday November 16 at 2pm.  Family will receive visitors before the service at the church beginning at 1pm, with light refreshments served after. 

If Virginia made you a quilt, please consider bringing it to the church to be displayed in the sanctuary while her life is honored.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Virginia’s memory to Miracle Quilts, or Central United Methodist Church.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Virginia May Mueller, please visit our Tree Store.