On a cold Tuesday, January 9, 1936 Muriel Hefflin Floyd was born the fourth child to the late Lois and Robert Hefflin in Pittsburgh, PA. She quietly passed away on Friday, March 9, 2018 after a long struggle with the illness known as Alzheimer’s. Muriel excelled as a student through the Pittsburgh Public School system where she later became a devoted Special Education teacher to thousands of Pittsburgh’s youth. After graduating from Westinghouse High School, she married and began to raise six children with Ralph E. Floyd.Muriel continued to pursue excellence in her education acquiring her BS and M.ED from the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Education. She engaged in a demanding career for more than 30 years as a Special Education Specialist in ADHD focused on instructing socially and emotionally challenged children. She became very committed to the wellbeing of children overall. She demonstrated this by her involvement in organizations formed for the benefit of children such as; Big Brothers and Sisters Assoc., North Shore Community Foster Parenting Program, Lincoln Larimer Boys and Girls Club, Boys and Girl Scouts of America, Children’s Defense Fund, Stand for Children Movement March, Rites of Passage Program, the Hatch Kennedy Child Act and mentoring-tutorial programs sponsored by the YMCA. To promote her passion for childhood education Muriel was active with NEED, a full-service college-access program. As a NEED member she added to their mission by helping to establish a scholarship in honor of her mother’s memory.Muriel helped to raise the social consciousness of her community wearing her Afro-centric attire and supporting Link T. Afric - Getting People Together, National Association of the Urban League, and was a gold-life member of the NAACP. She knew the importance of civil rights. In addition, she served on the Board of Directors of the Homewood-Brushton Community Health Center.Muriel was very independent purchasing her own home and several properties while operating her own Real Estate Business. She retired from teaching to care for her mother during her extensive illness. She was devoted to her own children and extended family pouring out an abundance of love-always making them aware she was just a phone call away. Muriel’s nurturing spirit was never over shadowed by her seeking to enjoy life to the fullest. She traveled extensively and got excited about good soul music especially by greats like Aretha, Gladys and Luther. She was a take charge – take no prisoners type of person but could always be caring looking out for friends, family and strangers. Her buddies (road dogs like Evelyn and BernaMae) may have preceded her in death, surely they are partying now!A point of maturity was reached in life when she professed a hope in Christ and united with the fellowship of several local churches, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, and finally Mount Ararat Baptist Church. As a dedicated member Muriel participated in several ministries including the Usher Board,Choirs and the Senior Citizens’ Volunteer Association. Muriel Hefflin Floyd was preceded in death by her former husband Ralph E. Floyd and her beloved children Autumn Lynn, Monica Lois and Ralph Alvin, her cherished siblings, Katherine, Robert, and Charles. She leaves to celebrate her home-going: Robbin Floyd-Jones (Michael) of Fort Washington,MD, Jude E(Christine) and Mark C(Catherine) both of Pittsburgh,PA, her loving brothers Curtis L(Francis) and Clyde T(Patricia) of Pittsburgh, PA, two affectionate sister-in-law’s, Ruth Hefflin(Charles) of Pittsburgh,PA and Carole Floyd(Alvin Floyd of Hampton,VA), adoring grandchildren;Michael, Khadija, Tonika, Tasha, Jude, Towanda, Octavia, Christina, Shanti, Jasmine, Maurice, Terrell, Autumn, Marc and Nicole,26 lovable great-grandchildren,endearing sister-nieces(Pat & Donna), nieces and nephews, special cousins, wonderful neighbors and friends. Continue reading