MOUNT VERNON – (Ruth) Miriam Preston, 100, of Mount Vernon, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2023. Miriam was born in Swampscott, Massachusetts, on Feb. 18, 1923, to Theodore Juel and Martha Christensen, who immigrated to the United States from Denmark before Miriam was born. She married Lester Preston (deceased) in 1949, and they frequently moved due to his job as a salesperson for Motorola, residing in Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York. Miriam enjoyed living near New York City, which she traveled to frequently to watch the matinees of all the shows and musicals.
Miriam worked as a secretarial assistant in the financial field for 40 years in Boston, Massachusetts; New York City; and Washington, D.C., where she worked in the Senate Office of the late senator from Massachusetts – Leverett Saltonstall.
After Lester retired in 1987, they wanted to live near their daughter Marta and her family, so they moved from New Jersey to Mount Vernon, Ohio. After Lester's passing in 2012, Miriam continued to live in her home on Summit Drive. She maintained her independence by driving to her hair appointment every Friday morning and other activities. Eventually, Miriam sold her house and moved into the Ohio Eastern Star Home, where she lived out her final years.
Miriam was a St. Paul's Episcopal Church member and enjoyed the early morning Wednesday services, followed by breakfast with her friends at the Southside Restaurant.
Miriam is survived by her daughter, Marta (Jeff) Van Loon, and grandchildren, Shawna (Shawn), Heather (Missy) and Ryan (Bruna). She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester; her parents; and siblings, Elsie, Elizabeth and Henry.
The family would like to thank the many people who visited Miriam while she was living in the nursing home, especially Sue, who was so kind to drive her to church; her former neighbor Marilyn, who brought mom goodies and always made her laugh; and John, who brought her fresh vegetables from his garden. Thank you to the staff at the Ohio Eastern Star Home, where Mom lived the last 6 1/2 years, for taking such diligent care of her, and the nurses from Capital City Hospice, who made her final weeks more comfortable.
Per Miriam's wishes, cremation has occurred, and a private family service is planned. The family suggests memorial contributions in Miriam's name be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church or the Ohio Eastern Star Home.
To share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy, visit SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
The Snyder Funeral Homes, Dowds Chapel is honored to serve the family of (Ruth) Miriam Preston.
