Barbara "Barb" Vail Mueller (née Barbara Jane Vail), 87, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2017 in Laguna Woods, CA at Villa Valencia. She was born to Craig and Emma Vail (née Duvall) on September 8, 1929 in East Orange, NJ. Barbara was an only child who enjoyed her summers on a lake in Canada with her parents. At a young age, she vowed to herself that she would have a larger family, since being an only child was lonely at times.

Barbara met her husband William "Bill" Mueller in high school. It wasn't until her sophomore year at Colby College where they met again on a Christmas tree lot in New Jersey and struck up a conversation. Bill and Barbara began a wonderful courtship and married in 1951. Barbara's early married life was centered in Mountainside, NJ. As a young wife of a Navy Officer, Barbara worked at a bank and would often travel overseas to meet Bill for holidays when he was stationed abroad. It wasn't until eight years after they married that they started their family. Having children brought her tremendous pride and joy. As a stay-at-home mom, she enjoyed spending time with other young mothers in town until Bill's job transferred him to Bedford, NH in 1969. There they fell in love with New England and its four seasons; Fall was her favorite. With three active sons, New Hampshire was the ideal spot, providing plenty of outdoor opportunities for skiing, skating, tennis, swimming in the lakes, and more. She loved her family's annual summer vacations to Cape Cod, where they reconnected with other vacationing families. Barbara enjoyed anything and everything that involved family. She was the ultimate homemaker, passionate about cooking great meals. Holidays only added to her joy of meal planning, decorating, and making each get together memorable. Barbara's house was always clean and put together, much like herself.

Barbara was an avid reader, and working at the Bedford Public Library wasn't work for her. She took pride in starting the Youth Employment Service "YES" in Bedford which connected young teenagers with job opportunities. She also loved to play Bridge with other women and as a couple with Bill during their forty years in New Hampshire.

Barbara's last ten years were spent in Laguna Woods, CA. She loved her Saturday lunches at her favorites restaurants in Newport Beach and San Clemente, and of course, frequent visits from her family. Barbara is survived by her husband, Bill Mueller; her three sons, Craig Mueller of CA, Douglas (Judy) Mueller of NH, Todd (Lorre) Mueller of TX; five grandchildren, Lauren (Jonathan) McDavid, Kyle (Laura) Mueller, Morgan, Trevor, and Mitchell Mueller; and one great-grandson, Fletcher McDavid. She will be greatly missed.

Services will be held for her on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at McCormick and Son Mortuary located at 25000 Moulton Parkway in Laguna Hills, CA. A burial service will be held in Bedford, NH, where she'll be laid to rest. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Barbara's name may be sent to the Bedford Public Library, 3 Meetinghouse Rd., Bedford, NH 03110.

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