Rev. Muriel D. Bronakoski

Rev. Muriel D. Bronakoski, 90, of New Kingstown, passed away in her sleep January 13, 2026 at her home.

Born October 14, 1935, in Orange, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Henry O. and Kathleen (Duffett) Kunz. Muriel attended Newark State Teachers College, now formally known as Kean University in Union, NJ. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Education. She worked as an elementary teacher, social worker and child welfare caseworker. In 1993 she received her master’s degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary and was ordained a minister in the United Church of Christ. She served as the interim minister of the Zion UCC in Blain and the Sandy Hill UCC in Kistler. She then became the chaplain at Forest Park Nursing and Rehabilitation in Carlisle until her retirement.

Muriel loved being a minister. Her smile, compassion and extraordinary kindness touched so many people wherever she happened to be. She was an avid reader and enjoyed dancing, movies and live theater, especially Open Stage in Harrisburg. She was often in her garden so much that her son Jeffrey sent her some outside work lights so she could work in the late evening. She was active with the National Organization for Women and an advocate for equal rights for everyone. She was an environmentalist and worked with Pennsylvania Cleanways to clean up illegal dumpsites and encourage recycling. The evening meal had to compete with her favorite news programs on MSNBC. Our post office box was always overflowing with mail from charities, advocacy groups and politicians from all over the country. And despite all of her varied interests and activities, she was a mother who loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren so very much.

Surviving Muriel is her husband of 46 years, Richard Bronakoski; children from her first marriage with Robert G. Miller: Kevin Miller, Krista Miller, Maria (Ron) McDermott, and Robert (wife Ying) Miller; grandchildren: Joey, Jennie, Julie, Jamie and Tabetha; great-grandchildren: Rori, Blake, Jericho, Kalea, Adeline, Joseph and Wiley. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her son Jeffery Miller; son-in-law Ron McDermott; brother Robert Kunz, sister Peggy Del Corpo and brother-in-law John Del Corpo.

Muriel’s wish to donate her body to medical science was honored through Humanity Gifts Registry.

Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.