Muriel Elizabeth Hamilton

Muriel Elizabeth Hamilton, EdD, age 80, of Columbia, MD, passed away on October 21, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Muriel was born on November 19, 1943 to Harry Lemuel Hamilton, Sr., and Velma Bell Hamilton in Madison, WI, where her parents were pillars of the community. She graduated from Oberlin College with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1965. She went on to earn a master’s degree in early childhood education at Bank Street College in 1973, and a doctorate degree of education (EdD) from Atlanta University in 1979.

Muriel’s early adult years were spent traveling as a community organizer, volunteer and teacher, working to champion civil rights while working in Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Washington DC and Islamabad, Pakistan. In 1979, she married and settled in New Haven, CT, where she had a loving daughter and stepdaughter.

Muriel had a lengthy career as a researcher, consultant and educator. Notably, she worked as a researcher with the Yale Child Study Center for many years and then went on to become the Executive Director of the New Haven Head Start Program in 1989. Following her time leading Head Start, she took a position as an Associate Professor of Elementary and Early Childhood Education at Southern Connecticut State University in 1997.

After retirement, Muriel continued her activism and political engagement. She also spent her time as a dedicated caregiver to her own mother, and as a cherished grandmother (Nana), helping to care for her grandchildren while living in Connecticut, California, Texas and Maryland. She continued her passion for political organizing and voter registration efforts, and she was also an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church. Muriel will be remembered for her kindness, compassion, and the positive impact she had on everyone fortunate enough to have known her.

Muriel is survived by her daughter, Alicia Lee (Jeloni Shabazz); sister, Patricia Gyi (Maung); former husband, Forrester Lee, Jr., and stepdaughter, NTanya Lee; grandchildren Yasmeen Shabazz, Yusuf Shabazz, Khalil Lee-Turner, Amirah Shabazz, Jennah Shabazz and Lailah Shabazz. Muriel was predeceased by her brother, Harry Hamilton, Jr.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Muriel Elizabeth Hamilton, please visit our floral store.