Muriel Hughes, a resident of The Village at Palmerton, observed her 91st birthday on Feb. 10.

Originally from Slatington, where she lived all her life, Muriel wanted to be a hairdresser, but being one of six children her parents couldn't afford to send her for training. She worked in a garment factory for a few years and later worked at Keystone Lamp in 1939.When asked how she met her husband, Muriel's smile grew wider."I knew Del my whole life. He lived across the street from us. I spent a lot of time at his house with his sister and we would make fudge," said Muriel."I always had a crush on him, and never knew at the time he felt the same about me. Often my sister Cass went to Ontelaunee Park in New Tripoli on Saturday nights to the dances. One particular night, she came home and said 'Muriel, Delphin wants me to bring you along next week.' I was thrilled! He was six years older, but that wasn't a big deal back then."Muriel and Delphin married in February of 1942. He was drafted into the Army shortly after, serving in the pacific, Hawaii and the Philippine Islands."I was working at Trojan Powder Company doing payroll and working the switchboard on V-E Day. The switchboard lit up completely. I'd never saw it do that before, I was beside myself with shock and awe. My boss came over and stood next to me and said, 'Don't bother touching any of it. The war is over!'"I was never so happy. Delphin finally came home. I hadn't seen him in over three years! We had a good marriage, raised a family and had a lot of fun times."The Hughes were married for 52 years when Del passed.Muriel was an avid seamstress and knitter. She is a very social person who enjoys listening to music of the Big Band Era and loves to travel. She often spends a weekend "adventure" with one of her children and comes home on Sunday evening tired, but full of great stories to share.Muriel has three children, Carol who lives in Delaware, and Martha and Robert, who both live in Slatington.