Myra A. Mudge Obituary

Myra A. Mudge, though she be little, she (was) fierce, was born in Bristol, RI to the late Frank and Grace Topazio. She died on Jan. 23 comforted by the warmth and love of her family and friends at South County Hospital during a blizzard on a cold wintry night. She was an active member and daily communicant of St. Francis de Sales Parish in North Kingstown and received the last rights of the Roman Catholic Church and the Apostolic Blessing.
She was a graduate of Colt Memorial High School, class of 1961 in Bristol. She was also a graduate of Truesdale Hospital School of Nursing in Fall River, MA 1964. She was a nurse at Truesdale Hospital, RI Hospital, Concord NH Hospital, Franklin Regional Hospital NH, Hillcrest Hospital OK, the South County Hospital Urgent Care Treatment Center in North Kingstown and she concluded her nursing career as an office nurse for her primary care physician.
Myra was the loving and generous wife to David Mudge, mother to Bonnie, Kelly, Lisa Mudge and her fiancé Simon Vincent, and Kristen and Joe Reingardt; grandmother to Karinn and Kayla Mudge; and loving sister to Victoria Topazio Kennett and Rico Topazio.
Having been a dedicated nurse and retiring after 40 years, Myra took care of others as well as her family and friends. She loved all with whom she worked throughout her life. She was an excellent cook, still making dinner for family and friends even up to last week; she baked for every holiday and birthday, often decorating special cakes. Myra was a world traveler and pilgrimage enthusiast. She was a talented gift wrapper, event planner, floral decorator and seamstress (whether hemming pants or making prom gowns); her talents never ended, and how she loved to shop, shop, shop! When her sister-in-law, Mary Sams said she thought it was time for her family to say what they need to say to Myra, her husband David blurted out, "Myra, there's no Kohl's in Heaven." She loved Kohl's.
Myra loved winter, so it was appropriate that she had a blizzard on her way out. She loved to ski, and brought her family up to do so. Myra also loved the beach, camping, NH in the fall with many trips to pick apples for apple pies that were amazing, Marilla Ness, David Parks, Nana Mouskouri, Neil Diamond, Josh Groban, the Four Tenors and bagpipes were her favorites. Born and Italian/Armenian, Myra was always Irish on St. Patrick's Day, or Scottish when with her friend Cynthia Nieto at the Highland games. She was a beautiful soul and a pillar of strength in her family. Myra was a dedicated Christian who devoted herself, alongside her husband, to raising her family with good morals and a strong sense of family. Often, Myra reached out into the community to inspire and help those less fortunate, especially for the holidays by adopting families and buying for the giving trees. Myra celebrated every holiday with class and zest. She enjoyed hats and high teas, a perfect fit as a member of the Red Hat Club.
The Mudge Family wishes to extend their thanks and love to all those who braved the blizzard to be there in loving support: Father Marek Kupka, Simon Vincent, Mary Sams, Linda Wynne (and your most beautiful embroidered angel placed lovingly on her shoulder), Amy Gates, Cynthia Nieto, Keith Pierce, Victoria Topazio Kennett, Andrew Nicastro, Donna and Tom Zorabedian, Michele Kennett Fick (Craig and Tori who sang a beautiful lullaby to her auntie.) We love you and are so grateful that you were there for Myra and for us. If anyone could have had a happy and peaceful journey over the rainbow bridge to the gates of Heaven, it was Myra. The Mudge family would like to thank all of the special individuals who helped make Myra's final journey so peaceful. The Mudge family would also like to recognize the outstanding service provided by MA General and South County Hospital; especially to the wonderful caretakers who fostered Myra's care during chemotherapy and made Myra's final journey painless, all showing incredible respect and compassion. A special thanks for the genuine hospitality given to us by dietetic technician Lorry Beth (LB) who fed us so we didn't leave hungry, as well as her nurses Sarah and Nicole.
Most importantly, God Bless David, the love of Myra's life, for being the epitome of love, commitment, strength, endurance, faith, integrity and hope. David was there by her side for 48 years, through good and bad, and was resolute and dedicated. A most extraordinary man especially in these last two years of her diagnosis and treatments.
She fought the good fight, she kept the faith and she finished the race, the crown is now hers.
Her funeral will be held Friday, January 29, 2016 at 8:45am from the FAGAN-QUINN Funeral Home, 825 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in St. Francis de Sales Church, 381 School Street. Burial will follow in Elm Grove Cemetery. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to the Food for the Poor will be appreciated.