Muriel Ansley Reynolds, 86, Community Volunteer, Dies

NEWPORT BEACH — Muriel Ansley Reynolds, a founding member of the Friends of the UCI Library and the Children’s Theater at the Laguna Community Theater, died this week. She was 86.

Reynolds, a 1931 graduate of UCLA, was once a performer for Lux Radio Theater and later worked as a real estate agent. But the Washington, D.C., native was best known locally for her long list of volunteer activities which led to her being named Orange County Magazine’s Woman of the Year in 1987.

“I can think of no one in Orange County who has more truly dedicated a life to community service,” said longtime friend Mary Lou Hornsby, who worked with Reynolds on many activities.

Reynolds, a resident of Newport Beach, served in leadership positions on the Disneyland Community Service Awards Committee, Orange County Performing Arts Center Board, Laguna Beach Coordinating Council, UCI Foundation Advisory Committee and the Orange County Protocol Foundation.

Among the honors bestowed on Reynolds throughout the years was the Orange County Press Club’s Headliner Award, UCLA Outstanding Achievement Award, B’nai B’rith Humanitarian Award, the Blind Children’s Center Humanitarian Award, and the UCI Lauds and Laurels Award.

Reynolds is survived by daughters Patricia Still and Lynn Carlin, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren as well as sisters Nellie Reeves and Blanche Webb. She is the widow of Laurence K. Reynolds.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Feb. 6 at the University Club on the UC Irvine campus.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Brain Imaging Center-UCI Foundation, or UCI Friends of the Library-Muriel Reynolds Endowment.