LAWLER, Helen Muriel of Brookline, died peacefully on November 2, 2018 at the home of her daughter Geraldine Churchill, at the age of 93. Muriel was born in London and grew up in a country home near Watford, England. A teenager in World War II, Muriel helped in the war effort by delivering secret messages to nearby village officials on her bicycle. Her work at British Movie Studios, Pinewood, near London, was exciting, and she enjoyed seeing many of the leading actors of the period making films there. She met her late husband, James E. Lawler, Jr. when he was stationed in London with American Forces. Before long she found herself sailing across the ocean as a war bride. The couple settled in New York City, and raised five children. Muriel was a voracious reader of books and took a great interest in the education of her children. She volunteered at her children's schools, including a position as co-editor of the school newsletter. She also worked at Cardinal Spellman High School, Our Lady of Nativity School and Sterns Department Store. All five of her children graduated from college, and three went on to advanced degrees. Muriel also loved to cook and everyone raved about her leg of lamb, roast potatoes and apple cake. She was a wonderful seamstress, whipping up holiday costumes and Easter finery. She also had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. Muriel moved to Brookline in 1989, after the death of her husband Jim, to be closer to family. She became part of the Brookline community, joining the Church of our Saviour, helping children make books at Lawrence School, and celebrating her English heritage at the English Speaking Union. She loved going to England and traveled around the world visiting relatives and touring with the Sierra Club. She took up watercolor painting and became an accomplished, prolific painter and traveled New England with her painting group to explore new landscapes. She energized Beacon Street with her personality, chatting with familiar faces and dogs on her frequent walks with her sweet poodle Maggie. She also loved classical music, particularly opera, and always looked forward to her annual excursion to Tanglewood. She is survived by her children Ann Luckiesh of Greenbrae, CA; James Lawler and his wife, Judy Nedell of Stamford, CT; Charles Lawler of Chaska, MN; Geraldine Churchill of Brookline, MA and Bill Churchill of Sudbury, MA ; Justin Lawler and his wife Carmen Lawler of Yonkers, NY; grandchildren Alex, Katherine, Erin, Cara, and Jimmy; and great-grandsons James, Chase, Adrian, Jay, Dakota, Sebastian, Brookes, and Cameron as well as many nieces, nephews and other family and friends. Funeral arrangements are being provided by Bell-O'Dea Funeral Home in Brookline. A funeral service will be held at the Church of Our Saviour, 25 Monmouth St., Brookline on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 12:00 PM (Noon). Light refreshments will follow. The funeral procession to Walnut Hills Cemetery in South Brookline will then take place. Those driving cars in the funeral procession should arrive early at church for supervised alignment in the funeral procession. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Sierra Club.