Muriel F. (Barlow) Westgate Emerson, age 96, of Adams House, 1168 Highland Ave., formerly of “Bay View”, in Fall River died June 29, 2012. She was the wife of the late Atty. Ray C. Westgate, mother of the late David F. Westgate and sister of the late Norman M. Barlow. She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth A. “Liz” Waring, her daughter-in-law Sarah S. “Sally” Westgate, four grandchildren: Sumner James “Jay” Waring III and his wife Kristin, Christine E. Waring, Julia W. Lown and her husband Carroll, and Rachel S. Westgate, four great-grandchildren: Abigail, Elizabeth and Frances Waring and Talbot David Westgate Lown and several nieces and nephews. She was mother-in-law of the late Sumner J. “Jim” Waring, Jr. Her 2nd husband was the late Bryant C. Emerson.
Born in Fall River, daughter of the late Chester A. and the late Rachel (Cluny) Barlow she was a resident of New Smyrna Beach, formerly of Palm Harbor, Florida and lived in Fall River, after residing in Mattapoisett for many years.
Mrs. Emerson had been an administrative executive and accountant with the former Chester A. Barlow Insurance Agency in Fall River. Prior to her marriage to Mr. Westgate she had been an administrative secretary in the Trust Dept. of the former Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company.
Mrs. Emerson was a 1932 graduate of BMC Durfee High School and a graduate of Katharine Gibbs in Providence, RI, Class of 1934.
Active in numerous community organizations, among them, she was former President, Vice President and Secretary of the Woman’s Club of Fall River and served as Treasurer for many years. As President, she hosted speakers such as actress Kitty Carlisle, Columnist Abigail Van Buren, and John Russell, England’s 13th Duke of Bedford.
At the time of her death she was a member of the Fall River Women’s Union, having joined more than 50 years ago, Incorporator of the Home for Aged, member and recent docent for the Fall River Historical Society and member of the Fortnightly Club.
She had been President of the Highland School PTA, Vice President of Union Hospital Woman’s Board, having served as volunteer and receptionist for several years, Board Member of the Junior League of Fall River, Board member and publicity director of the Fall River Girl Scouts Council, Board Member of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, member Mattapoisett Woman’s Club, and Mattapoisett Historical Society. She was a member and officer of various square and round dance clubs in Florida and belonged to several bridge groups.
A lifelong knitter, she made hundreds of sweaters of original designs for family and friends. Lecturing on the history of knitting, she created and wore a sweater of silk yarn, consisting of the oldest known knitting pattern dated 250 BC, a fragment found by Yale University on a French archaeological exploration in Syria.
Her most cherished role was nurturing her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Her funeral will be held Tuesday July 3, 2012 at 10:00 AM in the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME of MEMORIAL TRIBUTE at CHERRY PLACE, 178 Winter St., Fall River.
Visiting hours Monday 3-6 PM. Flowers welcome. Contributions in her honor may be made to Adams House, 1168 Highland Ave., Fall River, MA 02720 and Fall River Historical Society, 451 Rock St. Fall River, MA 02720. Burial in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fall River. Directions, tributes: www.waring-sullivan.com