Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Mentor & Friend
In our Friends' Words...
A Collection of Tributes Received By Link After Chip's Passing
Some had personal reflections about the writers’ experiences and memories of Chip. I would like to share
some of them with you.
Who was Chip, Sara, Wanda Mueller?
In our friends' words...
Jean Rutherford, Christian Educator, Servant Leader, Close Friend.
“The world will be dimmer and heavier without the leaven and light which Chip brought to it. She has been a
dear friend to me for many years and I will be diminished by her absence.”
Nancy Wood, Worked with Chip as Historic Home Guide.
“She was one of the most life filled persons I have ever known. I felt her energy and joy the moment she
entered a room.”
Clair Brill, Fellow Christian Educator, Co-Shrinemont coordinator 1991.
“I think Chip taught me how to love God better because she taught me to love myself better. She truly gave
herself to everyone she came into contact with. (even sales people in the store) with her wonderful laugh and
her infectious being and her love for life.”
Hal White, Priest, Servant Leader Program.
“Chip Mueller: Servant Leader Par Excellence, Truth Teller, Gospel-Bearer, Giggle-pealer. Grace. Love.
Blessing.
Shalom.”
Carrie Bergman, Member of Chip¹s EFM Group.
“Chip is a glowing light who guides us, like the wise men on a journey to knowledge. Her smiling face is an
image that keeps our spirits up. Reviewing our chapters she offers insight to help our understanding Inner
calm and peace are nearly always in her face. She easily laughs and finds humor in most everything. To us
she is unique; there is no other like her. Many people have been blessed by her teaching -- liturgical
clowning, and all the myriad other ways she has influenced their spiritual lives. All of the EFM lessons are in
her scope of knowledge and this is quite an accomplishment. She is a mentor, leader, and so much more to
all she encounters in EFM and the church.
David Lassalle, Priest.
“She was a wonderful spirit that really brought sunshine wherever she went.”
Kathleen Giles, Servant Leader Program.
“If ever there was a life well lived, that was Chip¹s life! I value my time with her and so appreciate her
enthusiasm and her spirit of optimism.”
Sharon Slater Koehler, Turkophile.
“Her joy and enthusiasm will continue on in all our memories. The years she dedicated to making the
Turkophile Reunions so wonderful kept us together and helped make special times we all cherish. I know
she is watching over all of us and is adding her sparkle in heaven.”
Keith and Maureen Vicary, Royal Navy, England.
“We will always have wonderful memories of her own special ‘Chipiness’. She was indeed a shining light
and we are thankful we could call her a dear friend and continue to treasure her memory.”
Jan and Rex Kibbler, Christian Educators.
“A wondrous light went out of the world when Chip left our physical presence. She was so very special in the
easy way she connected with people and connected people to each other.”
Becky and Jim Maxey, Church Friends.
“She was a very special person. I will always remember her smile, warm words, and her wonderful work
with our children. She will be greatly missed. Such a fine person is rare - we were lucky to have known her.”
Jane Price, Christian Educator and Sojourner.
“What a void we all experience with her absence among us! Chip touched so many lives and her spirit
remains with us.”
Ann Stephenson, Church friend.
“I want you to know her ministry, especially clowning, was what made Emmanuel a special family Church
that I wanted to stay with.”
Tom, Shannon, Madison, and Darby Brooks. Son of Link’s USNA Rommate.
“I think of Chip often and one thing always happens when I do: a smile comes across my face. She had an
incredible way of making people enjoy life by enabling us to smile when we were with her. She continues to
have an impact on everyone that was fortunate enough to know her.”
Frances Barber, Diocese Fiend, Fellow Delegate to General Convention.
“I can truly say, without fear of exaggeration, that Chip was one of the most wonderful people I have known.
Heaven is a better place because now is there. She will be missed by many.”
John and Marie Jose Bodi, Exercise Group Friends and Neighbors.
“She will remain in our memory forever bubbly and full of life with that infectious laugh as she will, I am sure,
in the memory of so many other people. We are most grateful for her wonderful help and support when we
needed help and we are just two of the many people whose lives she touched. I hope everyone who knew
her will always find comfort in that beautiful legacy.”
Frank Thomas, EFM Student of Chip¹s.
“Proverbs 11: 30 -- The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and she who wins souls is wise. Proverbs 16: 23
A wise woman¹s heart guides her mouth and her lips promote instruction. Chip¹s heart is the spiritual
teacher; to make one¹s soul search within, to look for truth, even when truth is not always comfortable to
confront, it being hard to accept. She changed my life for the better, made me look and seek our Lord Jesus
Christ. Her honor and integrity were unsurpassed.”
Terry Marie Anderson, Friend.
“Chip left a legacy of joy!”
Pam Webb, Fellow EFM Mentor.
“She taught me so much about leading a small group. I loved having her train me as an EFM mentor. Her
gifts live on in those of us who grew in faith through her powerful example.”
Janie Lohnes, Friend from Turkey, Wife of our Son¹s College Academic Advisor.
“Chip¹s life certainly was a life that touched the hearts of others. I have fond memories of her warm,
welcoming nature. She enhanced my Turkish experiences through the British Embassy Church activities
and the Turkish American wives club bookmobile.”
Plum Cluvenus, Servant Leader.
“I will never forget the last time I saw Chip. We were at an SLFP meeting (Aug. 20, 2004), which Chip was
facilitating. She had pneumonia, and didn¹t know yet she had cancer although I imagine it was already well
advanced. I was amazed she was even there - but she was determined not to let us down. That incident
epitomizes Chip for me - fierce determination, loyalty to others, and a deep caring and concern for all around
her. What an inspiration. the world is a poorer place without her.”
Rose Lavender, Church Friend.
“The memorial service was a wonderful tribute to Chip¹s spirit as we were singing ³Weave². I thought every
person here has been woven together by Chip. These people aren¹t here because she was a friend mother
or wife; no she touched each of us. Being a contemporary, that overwhelmed me. Chip was an amazing
woman, I don¹t think anyone will forget her.”
Magie Demchuk, Church Friend and Other Places.
“Chip¹s funeral was the most memorable celebration of a life that we have ever witnessed - but all of us who
loved her shouldn¹t be surprised that her life influenced her very service - in our grief, her joy and enthusiastic
love of life sustains us. Advent reminds us that we should live our lives in preparation, and Chip certainly did
that. On All Saints Sunday when I took her flowers from St. Aidan¹s altar and told her that they were for one of
the Church's saints, her reply was that she would have to be a ³Saint on the Side² for awhile. Well now she¹s
a Saint in heaven and in our midst and for her friendship we are truly blessed.”
Ansi Kirke, Cursillo and Shrinemont Friend.
“She was such a vital part in spreading the word of God. All the things that made her so special to you and
her family also made her special to all. I, for one, feel very blessed that I got to know her at Shrinemont, at
Cursillo, and Sewanee.”
Patti Davis, Priest.
“She was such a remarkable woman who touched so many lives and left every one of them the better for it...
how sad to have ot say goodbye to such a lovely person.”
Richard Bridgford, Priest.
“I shall miss her bright smiles and ‘go get um’ attitude.”
Jim and Bunny Neff, Cursillo, Shrinemont Friends.
“No one was as full of life and wit than Chip! Her clowning, healing, mentoring EFM and all her other
activities spoke of her love of the Lord. We will miss her at Shrinemont and Cursillo - what a hole she has left
in our lives.”
Sallie Ann Powell, Diocese Friend.
“Chip was so astute, as well as cute, about the important things in life. I will be forever grateful for the help
she was to us at Trinity, South Boston in our long, long search for a new rector.”
Jon and Elise Greene, Emmanuel Friends.
“hip brightened our lives and was a true inspiration to us all. She will be greatly missed - every twinkling star
will remind us of her bright smile.”
Les Ferguson, EFM Student in Chip¹s Group.
“I remember Chip fondly and think it interesting that she was able to give her eyes so other may have sight. I
think one of the enduring qualities in Chip was her ability to allow others to see Christ and give them the
vision of God at work around us. She provided God¹s vision to everyone whose life she touched.”
Erna and Kent Lawrence, Navy Friends from Turkey.
“When we arrived in Ankara on a smoggy November day, it was such a breath of fresh air to meet Chip (and
you). Her enthusiasm for all things Turkish was so infectious that we knew our time out there would be
wonderful....and it was. What a lovely and vivacious person, and such a great asset to the American
community in Turkey. We recall happy family camping trips together in the mountains and on the coast down
in Silifke, and at least one trip together to Istanbul.”
Cynthia Morgan Colonna, Emmanuel, Shrinemont Friend.
“She brought such joy to my life. I have so many memories of her at Emmanuel and Shrinemont. She taught
me my first clown workshop. She was sensitive, caring, compassionate, loving...and great fun. I can hear
her laughter now in my head and, of course, her wide and bright smile.”
Deanna and John VanEps, Emmanuel Friends, Now in Arkansas.
“Chip was our role model when we were at Emmanuel. I always listened when Chip spoke in that quiet slow
manner. I learned so much about what I might watch for to see God working in my life. I will have her laugh
with me forever.² Jim and Anne Kellett, Priest and wife ³My first and one of my fondest memories of Chip is
her clown presentation at a Small Church Conference we attended soon after coming to our new church. I
will never forget the wonderful images of the clergy hitting balloons all around the room like little kids! It was
wonderful and I¹ll miss her. But, for me, she lives in my clown. Like the flowers blooming so abundantly in
our new California home, we too have had our seasons. Chip has passed beyond her Winter. But in those
who¹s lives she so abundantly touched, she has left a remarkable Spring.”
Billye and Mac McLaughlin, Navy Friends from Turkey.
“You could truly say that there was never a dull moment with Chip. She was always on the upbeat. With her,
there was always something new to discover, and to laugh about. I can hear that laugh now. She had such a
good heart and loved all people. She had more friends than anyone I know. Chip always saw the bright side
and she could bring out the best in every one. Who could not love that girl with those beautiful blue eyes and
darling giggle.”
I am ending this collection of tributes with a quote taken from our granddaughter Becky¹s own poem written
in memory of her grandmother.
“Too soon did she leave us,
The woman named Sara.
The wife named Chip.
The clown known as Wanda.
She left us on Earth
To fly among the stars.²
Peace, Joy, Salem, and Shalom,
Link Mueller
Chip¹s Husband
