Muriel Violet Hamel

February 14, 1918 – December 23, 2014

On Tuesday, December 23, 2014, Muriel Valentine Hamel (nee Sweet) passed away peacefully in her sleep. Muriel was predeceased by her father Thomas in 1975, her mother Violet in 1993, her husband Rene in 1983, her daughter Heather (Ken) in 1999, her daughter Laraine (Marcel) in 2008, her brother Lawrence in 1943, and her brother Bill in 2012. Muriel is survived by her daughter Margaret (James), her son Wayne (Jo-anne), her son Brent (Lynne), her brother Orval, fourteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and also lovingly remembered by Betty.

Muriel was born in Winnipeg on February 14, 1918, and grew up in Monominto and Ostenfeld before moving to St. Vital. A homemaker whose talents knew no bounds, Muriel was a seamstress, chef, nurse, chauffer, hostess, counselor, and, as you can imagine with five children, occasionally a police officer. From homemade bread, pies and preserves to sewing matching dresses for her daughters, including Margy’s wedding dress, everything Muriel crafted was done with love and pride. To Muriel, ‘good enough’ was not in her vocabulary. Only perfection was acceptable. At Christmas, no grandchild ever went without a newly knitted matching set of toque, mitts, and scarf. A gifted vocalist, she was often asked by friends and family alike to perform as a soloist at weddings. She was active in her community and was an avid five pin bowler as well as an accomplished cribbage and bridge player. Muriel loved to travel and saw more than she could remember. The friends and acquaintances Muriel made in her nearly ninety seven years are almost too numerous to count. Family members would like to thank the staff at Vista Park Lodge for the warm affection that they showed towards Muriel.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at Green Acres Funeral Home and Cemetery, Highway #1 East at Navin Road. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Muriel’s name can be made to the ALS Society of Manitoba.

Godspeed, Mom.

Bless your heart.