MURIEL BEATRICE PYKE

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MURIEL BEATRICE PYKE

Muriel was born on March 15, 1929 in Country Harbour, Nova Scotia. She passed on September 20, 2021 at the age of 92.
Muriel was born in the Great Depression and her story is one of being a survivor. Her family, mother Charlotte Guthro; sisters, Thelma, Joan and Josephine (now all passed) moved to Toronto when she was a child sometime after the death of her father Joseph. Muriel left school at the age of 16 for a job at the T. Eaton Company. They were very poor and she could not bear to continue with schooling as she only had one ill-fitting dress and worn-out shoes and was embarrassed by her poverty. She loved Eaton's and worked in gift wrap and children's shoes. Muriel became an expert gift wrapper, even making her own bows.
In the 1950s she met and fell in love with Fred Pyke. They had two children, Pamela and Fred Junior. Muriel was a single mother for most of the children's upbringing. Muriel was a great mother and always provided for her children, even taking on a second job at Christmastime to be able to provide them with a proper Christmas. She made many special memories for her children. They also always had a new outfit and shoes for the first day of school and were nicely outfitted for 'picture day'.
Muriel was an avid ballroom dancer in her day. She loved dressing up and going to the Palais Royale. She met many wonderful friends there. Muriel was also able to enjoy some wonderful trips. She went on a cruise with her son Fred; to Nashville with her daughter Pamela; and, travelled to England twice with her companion Des. She also went on a cross-Canada trip with her sister Joan and Joan's husband Bill in a Winnebago. Muriel was a lover of music and enjoyed a variety of types of music including big band, country and western, and soft contemporary.
In 2004 Muriel moved to Winnipeg to be closer to her daughter Pamela and her family, husband Aldo Santin and children, Jesse and Elisa. But she remained close to son Fred and grandson Freddy, who remain in Toronto.
Muriel was an independent individual who, with the assistance of provincial home care, kept her own apartment to the very end. Muriel was especially fond of her longtime home care workers, Eleanor, Kim and Edna, who provided her with friendship as well as care.
Muriel's final days were spent at Concordia General Hospital and the family is grateful for the care and comfort staff provided. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Christine Duprat, who had been Muriel's doctor since coming to Winnipeg and saw her through many challenges, and for the support and advice given by Muriel's case coordinator, Kristen Legrange.
At Muriel's request, there will be a private memorial service September 28 followed by cremation and interment at Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens. A come-and-go will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.

The song is ended but
the melody lingers on.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 25, 2021