Eastern University Mourns Loss of Beloved Employee

Muriel (Mimi) Van Bueren
February 28, 1939 - October 28, 2019

After a hard fought battle with lymphoma and then dementia, Muriel (Mimi) Van Bueren went home to the Lord on October 28, 2019. She is survived by her two children Lynda and John and her brother Bill. She is preceded in death by her ex-husband John.

Mimi was a kind, generous woman who was quick witted, with a snarky sense of humor. She always seemed able to find something to laugh about with friends. She was known as the “queen of coupons” at Eastern University, because she could spot a deal a mile away. She would often enter a store and come out with hundreds of dollars of merchandise, having not paid a single penny because she had that many coupons. Most of what she bought wasn’t even for her own use. She gave away a lot of what she purchased to churches and shelters, and those who needed it the most.

Eastern University was Mimi’s second home. She worked at the St. David’s campus for 23 years, before retiring in 2010. During that time she served as the switchboard operator, maintained the school’s telephone directory, and supported the mail and copy center. She was a fixture on campus and well loved by students and other employees.

Even in death, her generosity abounds. She made the decision before falling ill that she wanted her body to be donated to science.

Eastern University invites friends to an outdoor celebration of Mimi’s life on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at 2 p.m. There will be a planting in her memory, so that she will always remain a part of a place she held so close to her heart. All are invited to attend. Location to be determined. For more details or to RSVP, please email Nancy Hartsock at nhartsoc@eastern.edu.