Obituary of Muriel Gladys Burke

MURIEL GLADYS (Copeland) BURKE It is with great sadness that the family of Muriel announces her passing on Friday, August 30, 2013 in Regina, at the age of 96 years. Muriel was predeceased by her parents, William and Edna (Grady) Copeland; her surrogate parents. Frank and Vida (Copeland) Telfer; brothers, Leslie and David Copeland and Owen Telfer; son-in-law Jim Mould; and her beloved husband and soul mate of 68 years, John Melvin Burke. She is survived by her son Wayne (Wendy): grandchildren, Darcie (Travis) Lozinski and Colleen (Jason) Ackerman: great grandsons, Riley and Tristan Lozinski, and Burke Ackerman; daughter Shirley Mould: grandchildren, Susan (Al) Beaudoin, Steven (Gina) Mould and Carol-Lynne (Kim) Quintin: great-grandchildren, Christopher Dickens, Morgan Quintin, and Naomi Mould; sister Mary (Telfer) Kruger; brother-in-law Ken Burke, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins in Canada and the USA. Muriel was born December 2, 1916 in St. Boswells, SK to William and Edna. Upon their deaths in 1918 from influenza, she went to live with her aunt and uncle, Frank and Vida Telfer. She married John “Mel” Burke in 1941, and accompanied him to Kingston, ON during WWII while he was stationed there as an instructor. Muriel was employed for many years at Robert Simpson upon her and Mel's return from Kingston, ON. She was an active member of the SaskTel Pioneers for many decades, whether it was building Hug-A-Bears, or doing hearing assessments for the Infant Hearing Assessment Program at the Regina General Hospital, she was always actively involved. Muriel was known for knitting a pair of mittens a day; some were sold at the hospitals in Regina with the proceeds going to the Regina Hospital Auxiliary Funds, and some she donated to Regina inner-city schools, so that no child would have to go without a pair of mittens in the winter. Muriel and Mel loved to travel across Canada, and overseas. Upon Mel's retirement, their summers were spent at the family cottage they built in Buena Vista entertaining many family and friends. She took an active interest in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, in regards to their education and activities. Memorial Service will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. Interment to follow at Regina Memorial Gardens. The family wishes to thank the staff at Kinmara Care Home, and Broadway Terrace for the wonderful care Muriel received. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Muriel, to the SaskTel Pioneers Infant Hearing Assessment Program, 2nd floor 2121 Saskatchewan Drive, Regina, SK, S4P 3Y2. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com