Born in D’Escousse, Cape Breton to Cecile and Alphonse McDonald, Muriel moved to Halifax at twenty-one. Ten years later, while working at Canadian Liquid Air, she met the love of her life, Wallace. They married in 1956 and quickly began their family. As a stay-at-home mom, Muriel’s family was her greatest joy and she sacrificed so much for her children.
Muriel loved children and was a mother to everyone. After her own children began school, she came to the rescue of another mother in need of immediate childcare. Over the next 20 years, Muriel cared for over 30 children in her home.
Passionate about gardening and cooking (she was known to bake the best blueberry pies), Muriel also had a business mind. She ran the household finances, dabbled in small home-based ventures, and once even surprised Wallace with a real estate investment purchase, when he arrived home from work one day.
Muriel was a woman of deep faith, and was a member of Saint Agnes Catholic Parish for more than six decades. An ardent supporter of Hope Cottage for many years, Muriel would often provide donations of home cooked meals to help feed those less fortunate.
Muriel was a true Acadian Cape Bretoner; strong-willed and feisty, she enjoyed having fun and a good laugh. Place a few lobsters in front of her and she was content for hours.
Muriel is survived by her six children: Daniel (Debbie), Paulette (Kevin Marks), Cecilia, Gerard, Margaret (Dom Vetro) of Toronto, Michael (Danielle) of Toronto.
She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Andrea, Michelle, Robert, Michael, Christopher, Jeffery, Katie, Mara, Sophie, and Carys; and four great grandchildren Brooklyn, Nolan, William and Mia.
Muriel was preceded in death by her parents; grandson Bradley; sister Geraldine (Dean); and her husband, Wallace.
We would like to thank the Doctors and Nurses on 5A at the Victoria General Hospital for their compassionate care during Muriel’s last days. Very special thanks to caregivers Mary and Rosemary from Home Instead Senior Care, for their exceptional and thoughtful care over the past few years. Our family would also like to thank the Continuing Care Assistants from Closing the Gap Healthcare, for their support over the past eight months.
In Lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to The WAY Association, www.weareyoung.ca. Funeral services will be held later this year.
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