LITCHFIELD — Muriel (Gracie) Berry Bonin, 82, lifelong resident of Litchfield, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, Sept. 6. She was born in Pittston on Dec., 30, 1928, to Clarence Berry and Gwendola McGee Berry, the second of five sisters, seventh generation in total.

Muriel attended Litchfield schools, one-room Pine Tree School, the Litchfield Academy and the University of Maine at Augusta.

She married Leopold E. Bonin and had three children. He died May 30, 1999.

Muriel was a homemaker until her children were all in school. She then went to work at the Maine Public Utilities Commission, Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Lung Association and the Maine Optometric Association from which her first retirement occurred.

Muriel was executive secretary of the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs for 32 years. She attended every fair in the state every year, providing support, encouragement and consultation services. Her coordination of the annual fair convention took it from a party environment to a learning and information sharing one as well

Muriel had a long history of community service and involvement. She had been on the board of directors of the Litchfield Farmers Club since 1954. Her dream to establish an agricultural museum at the Litchfield Fair was realized in 2006, and she had been cooking on the wood stove there at every opportunity. She also served as secretary for many years.

She was a lifelong member of the Litchfield Grange, serving as secretary for many years until it closed. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of the William R. Bold Post No. 181.

She served on the School Committee for more than 30 years, the Board of Selectmen for three terms, the Solid Waste Committee and the Litchfield Academy Board of Trustees. Muriel was director of the Litchfield Community Food Bank and deacon of the Litchfield Community Christian Church.

She received a Spirit of America Award several years ago. She also was a Director of the Riverview Federal Credit Union before it merged and was a longtime member of the Litchfield TOPS group.

Survivors include her three children; daughter, Mrs. Clyde (Murian) Harper of Clarksville, Ga., her son, Kendall and wife, Sharon Bonin, of Litchfield, and daughter, Mrs. Philip (Rayna) Leibowitz, of Litchfield; grandchildren, Amy Reynolds of N.J., Melissa Reichenecker, of Texas, Teresa Holland, Dana Bonin, Paul Bonin, Jonmickel Pardo, of Mont.; great grandchildren, Calista and David Reynolds, Jacob and Cassie Reichenecker and Brian, Megan and Jillian Holland; sisters Marie Morris, Florence Slattery and Ardis Small, all of Litchfield, and Frances Bubier, of Monmouth; and a brotherc Wayne Hodsdon, of Florida, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including Donald K. Vannah, a special friend.