Muriel Alcott

Muriel McDonald Alcott
Teacher and journalist Muriel McDonald Alcott died May 18, 2008 at Kansas City Hospice House. She was born August 18, 1917 in Minneapolis, MN. She was the second of four children born to Earl and Adele (Berlet) McDonald and was raised in Owosso, MI. Mrs. Alcott received an AA degree from Stephens College in 1937, a Bachelor’s in Journalism from the University of Missouri in 1939 and a Master’s in English from Arizona State in 1964. She taught English and Drama at Maryville High School and English and Journalism at Northwest Missouri State University where she was advisor for the student newspaper and yearbook. She married Bernard J. “Barney” Alcott in 1940. They lived in Maryville, MO, where Mr. Alcott was the Editor/Publisher of the Maryville Daily Forum for many years. During this time, Mrs. Alcott was active with the Missouri Press Women’s Association and served as President of the Northwest Chapter. After her husband’s death in 1975, Mrs. Alcott moved first to Hot Springs Village, AR where she served as editor of the LaVilla weekly newspaper, and later to Tucson, AZ, where she worked as the editor of the Green Valley newspaper. She returned to Missouri in 1992. Mrs. Alcott enjoyed volunteering for a variety of services including a literacy project, the Jackson County Historical Society and, in the late 1960’s, she was instrumental in starting a community theater group in Maryville. She was an avid reader and she enjoyed following politics, her many dog companions, watching birds from her window, and following the lives of her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Alcott was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband and, in 2004, her son, David. Survivors include; her daughters, Barbara (Ron) Dawson of Independence, MO and Martha Alcott (Steve Nilan) of Sacramento, CA; grandchildren, Doug (Kristy) Dawson, Madison, WI, Kit Dawson of Kansas City, MO, Katey Nilan, Los Angeles, CA, Patrick Nilan, Sacramento, CA and Kathleen Alcott, Orange, CA; and a great-grandson, Ahren Henry Dawson, Madison, WI. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Kansas City Hospice House or St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in her name. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 2 PM at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church 4000 Lee’s Summit Rd. Independence, MO. Online condolences expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arr: Speaks Suburban Chapel)