Edith “Muriel” (Toppin) Schlecht, age 85, of Tewksbury, retired Buffalo Soldiers military non-profit organization administrative assistant and former resident of the Carnation Drive Housing Community, passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at the D’Youville Senior Care in Lowell, following an extended illness.
Born in Boston on April 3, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Thomas M. Toppin and the late Alta E. (Merrill) Toppin. Muriel graduated from Everett High School class of 1959 and went on to graduate from Chandler School for Women in 1962.
She is survived by her son Brian L. (Schlecht) David and his wife Anne David of Brooklyn, New York and loving grandmother to grandsons Adrian, Vance and Devin.
Muriel is survived by her siblings: Alta Griffin and late husband John Griffin of The Villages, Florida and David Toppin and wife, Joanne Toppin of Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
Muriel is also survived by many nieces and nephews: Christopher Toppin and wife Melissa Iatron of Tyngsborough, Massachusetts; Christine (Griffin) Shain and husband Keith Shain of Hampstead, New Hampshire; Todd Griffin and wife Erika Griffin of Danville, New Hampshire; and Tara Griffin and (fiancé) Michael Curley of Raymond, New Hampshire.
Muriel is also survived by many great nieces and nephews: Daniel Snow and wife Brittany Snow and daughter Aubrey, Clare Toppin, Nia Toppin, Cheyenne Simas and husband Ian Simas, Jasmine Lambias, and Nathan Lambias.
With a heavy heart we announce the passing of our beloved mother, sister, aunt, and friend. Muriel was a lover of music and an accomplished musician in her younger years and took great delight in performing piano, organ, cello, and singing in choral groups. She sang in and accompanied choir groups at church and accompanied various musical events throughout school.
Throughout her life Muriel’s family and friends have always been of the utmost importance to her. In her son’s younger years, Muriel enjoyed working with friends in the community to manage and improve youth sports that her son participated in. She was a committed member of the Buffalo Soldiers Heritage, an educational inter-racial organization founded by her dear friend Napoleon “Pete” DePina. Muriel especially took great pleasure in working with Pete and others on various functions that aimed to increase public awareness of this part of American history. But her most cherished moments were always those she spent with her family, especially those filled with games, good conversation, and plenty of laughter.
At her request, there are no funeral services. Interment of her ashes will be at the Holland Hill Cemetery in Moultonborough, NH. The family will be organizing a celebration of life at a later date. Donations in her memory may be made to: Autism Speaks