597 S. 16th St. 

175 S. 18th St.  

1740 Ferry St.  

Muriel White was born 21 Jan 1910 in Providence, Rhode Island to Gilbert & Myra [Dalby] White. Her parents were emigrants from Bradford, Yorkshire, England employed in the woolen mill industry. In Rhode Island, her father worked for the Greystone mill as a wool grader. In 1912 the family moved to Salem, Oregon where her father took a job at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. The family lived in series of rental homes near the mill until they were able to build a home at 1740 Ferry St. In 1913 Muriel’s only sibling, Mary Margaret was born. Both girls attended Salem Public Schools. Muriel was known to her friends by the nickname Pat. After Muriel’s graduation in 1928 she attended Willamette University where she was a member of the following clubs and societies: Alpha Phi Alpha, Women’s Athletic Association, Classical Club, Wallulah yearbook, Collegian magazine, Wesleyans, and the YWCA. She also played the following sports: archery, basketball, baseball, volleyball, hiking, and tennis. She graduated from Willamette University in 1932. Then went on to graduate work at the University of Oregon. During the years 1931-1933, she often joined her father Gilbert White in the wool house during the summer to earn money. After graduating from Willamette, she took a teaching job at Woodburn High School as a physical education teacher and dean of girls. After time in Woodburn, she moved on to a similar job at West Linn High School.  

In 1946 she met and married Ronald Frank Buick of New Zealand. He served in the New Zealand army in the Pacific for three and a half years prior to their marriage. Muriel emigrated to New Zealand February 1946 and the couple married 16 March 1946 in Masterton. After their marriage the couple lived on the groom’s sheep ranch, Burnside. Two sons, Anthony and Barry, were born to the couple. While in Masterton, Murial started the Overseas Wives Club and Meals on Wheels. Her hobbies were flower gardening and organizing bus vacation trips for the elderly. Husband Frank died in February of 1991, and Muriel on December 14th the same year. She was 81 years old. The couple were cremated, with ashes placed in the Karori Cemetery and Crematorium in Wellington, New Zealand. 

1930  White Muriel stdt r 1740 Ferry 

1932  White Muriel J stdt r 1740 Ferry 

1934  White Muriel J tchr r 1740 Ferry 

1935  White Muriel tch Woodburn High School  

1936-37  White Muriel J tchr r 1740 Ferry  

1940-41  White Muriel tchr r 1740 Ferry 

1920  Muriel White. Age: 9. Birth Year: abt 1911 in Rhode Island. Home in 1920: 175 S. 18th St. in Salem, Ward 3, Marion, OR. Single, daughter to HOH. Additional household members: Gilbert White, age 38 (father). Myra White, age 35 (mother). Mary M White, age 6 (sister). 

1930  Muriel White. Age: 20. Birth Year: abt 1910 in Rhode Island. Home in 1930: 1740 Ferry St. in Salem, Ward 4, Marion, OR. Single, daughter to HOH. Additional household members: Gilbert White, age 47 (father). Myra White, age 46 (mother). Mary M White, age 16 (sister). 

1940  Muriel White. Age: 30. Birth Year: abt 1910 in Rhode Island. Home in 1940: 501 East Cass Roseburg, Douglas, OR. Residence in 1935: Woodburn, Marion, OR. Lodger to HOH. Occupation: Teacher. Additional household members: William B. Strawn, age 60 (HOH). Addie M. Strawn, age 56 (wife to HOH). Alice C. Andrews, age 74 (mother-in-law to HOH). Mary E. Holoday, age 30 (lodger). Jean F. Strawn, age 19 (daughter to HOH).  

Ronald Frank Buick. Birth: 5 Apr 1908 in Masterton District, Wellington, New Zealand. Death: 7 Feb 1991 (aged 82) Wellington, New Zealand. Burial: Karori Cemetery and Crematorium in Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, New Zealand. Memorial ID: 233479283 

Statesman Journal 15 Dec 1991 p 16 – Obituary