Obituary of Muriel Kathleen Rosalie Griffin

With love and wonderful memories, we announce the passing of Muriel at the age of 100. Her husband Bill, sister Marjorie, and daughter in law Marianne predeceased her. She is survived by her son, Michael B. (Norma), daughter Jane Anne, grandson Michael W. (Dragana), great-granddaughter Kara, and family in Regina, British Columbia, the USA, and England. Muriel was born in London, England. At the age of seventeen, she entered nursing school to become a State Registered Nurse and Registered Fever Nurse. As a Casualty Nurse in London, during the Second World War, she helped treat casualties of the Blitz. During the war, she left for holidays one day late. Travelling by train with her friend and her friend's mother, she asked two Canadian soldiers if her friend's mother could sit next to them. Her life was forever changed as she ended up marrying one of those soldiers. She and her beloved Bill were married on December 6th, 1941. In 1945, Muriel entered Canada as a war bride along with her two children, Michael B. and Jane Anne, to reside in Bill's hometown of Regina. Starting anew in Canada, she became a Registered Nurse and worked in the Regina General Hospital. In the early 1950s, Muriel was asked to join a small group to staff a school for special needs children, called the Harrow deGroot School. Here, without receiving a salary, she was able to practice her profession by caring for children with special needs including her own dear Jane Anne. She enjoyed taking trips with her family. In 1967, she and Bill travelled to Montreal to visit Expo 67. Sadly, a year later, the love of her life, Bill, passed away. She continued to work as a nurse at the Santa Maria Nursing Home and at Pioneer Village. In 1984, she retired from nursing after 57 years at the age of 74. Throughout her life, Muriel continued to be a passionate advocate for individuals with special needs and their families. She played an important role in the development of the first sheltered resource home and served on the board of the Group Home Association. For her achievements, Muriel was honoured by the Provincial Nurses Association with a Lifetime Achievement Award, the Mental Health Association, and the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan. Her compassion for people extended to all those who were less fortunate than her. Her primary instrument in making their voices heard were the hundreds of letters she wrote in her lifetime to newspapers, elected politicians including Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers and Premiers across Canada, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and journalists, most of whom would reply to her questions or concerns. As a member of the Monarchist League of Canada and Saskatchewan, she was fond of writing members of the Royal Family especially the Queen and the Queen Mother when there was a special occasion. Muriel loved reading, gardening, and most of all music. She sang in choirs for most of her life in both England and Regina. She participated in the Regina Music Festival as a soloist and choir member. She also performed as a guest soloist in churches throughout Regina. In Whitmore Park she sang with the United Church, and then St. Paul's Cathedral where she continued singing into the 1990s. One of the highlights for Muriel was joining the St. John's Cathedral Choir in Saskatoon to sing for Queen Elizabeth. She also sang in the Conservatory and Philharmonic choruses. In 1961, she joined the Orpheus Club of Regina as a performing member where she would perform songs of various composers including her favourite, Mozart. She was honoured with a twenty-five year award from the Regina Philharmonic Chorus and an Honorary Life Membership by the Saskatchewan Choral Federation. Muriel was a remarkable woman who inspired others. In her long life, she always persevered and enjoyed life to its fullest remaining independent for as long as she could. Muriel dearly loved her family, and her many friends who were just like family to her. She loved getting together with her friends so they could sing and play piano. She was a kind and loving person with a wonderful sense of humour. Muriel will be missed very much. The family wishes to thank the caring and dedicated staff at the Kinmara Care Home where Muriel spent the remaining years of her life. A Memorial Service for Muriel will be held at St. Pauls Cathedral, 1861 McIntyre Street, Regina on Monday, March 7, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop Duncan Wallace officiating. Interment in Riverside Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Muriel may be made to the Saskatoon Association for Community Living, 2216 Smith Street, Regina, SK, S4P 2P4. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com