Muriel Waldie

“Seeing is believing.” For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Muriel Waldie, it summarized in every way who she was. She was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around her and always thinking before acting. She was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything she did. She was a friendly person who truly cared about those around her.

       She was the daughter of Archibald Norman And Edith Alice Ford. Raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she was brought up to be tolerant and trustworthy. As a child, she learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual. These were all traits that she would carry with her throughout her life.

      As a young girl, Muriel was always aware of how others around her felt and this quality served her well. With a deep capacity to tolerate the feelings of others, Muriel was generally able to avoid conflicts. It seemed as if Muriel was the family member who was always working to keep stress at bay. Preferring a quiet environment where she could concentrate, Muriel also had the ability to relate well with her family and friends. Muriel was raised with two siblings. She had one older brother Norman, and one older sister Beth. Muriel was constantly involved in activities with her family. Muriel and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up but they deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years.

      Growing up, Muriel was one of those children who didn’t need to be in the center of a whirlwind of activity. She was content to entertain herself. Muriel was never pushy when it came to games and other activities, but rather, she was able to enjoy the pure fun these could bring. In just about everything she did as a child, Muriel was intent on pleasing both the adults and the other children around her. Muriel took part in a number of activities as a child. She was an active member of her community church. In her spare time she played the piano. Muriel's memorable achievements included many awards in music competitions and festivals.

      Muriel enjoyed learning. She always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. Muriel was generally quiet in class, learning best through observation. She often showed great concentration and was competent at completing the tasks at hand. Good with details, Muriel was painstaking and accurate in her efforts. All of these talents culminated in a successful high school career. She graduated from St. John's Technical High School in 1952. Muriel enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers.

      Muriel had a good disposition for the challenges of college. She always enjoyed reading, so all of those lengthy required reading assignments seemed to be less of a burden for her. In fact, Muriel seemed to absorb and remember everything she read. Not all things came easily to Muriel, however, and she found success by being a diligent and accurate person who would dig into a project and work through until it reached its completion. She was very thorough and labored long and hard in order to reach her goals. Muriel loved music. She received her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Manitoba and went on to attain two degrees in music, one in London England and the other in Toronto.

      Most folks would say that Muriel was shy until they got to know her. Those who were privileged to know her well learned that she was a solid, good friend. Muriel was reluctant to generalize about people, and she based her friendships on her personal experiences. Because of this, Muriel best trusted those people that she truly knew. She was concerned about how those around her felt, and she always seemed to uncover the positive side of people. She could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes. The friends that she made, Muriel kept. Muriel's close friends in life included Helen Foley, Shirley Twerdun, Beth Douglas, and Muriel Bassey.

      If you gave Muriel a deadline, she would meet it. At work, Muriel was always on task. Without hesitation, Muriel could adhere to any assignment and see it through to its completion. Her primary occupation was a teacher. She was employed for over 40 years by The Winnipeg School Board. Later in her career she became the music consultant for the Winnipeg School Division. During that time, Muriel excelled in working with small groups in order to complete assignments. She was able to quickly grasp concrete ideas and could organize and plan the best way to accomplish things with remarkable consistency. Muriel was good at staying on track and was considerate in listening to what others had to say. In this way, Muriel had a true gift for being able to come up with practical resolutions to difficult problems. She was often the team member who managed to put forth a win/win solution for all parties.

      Muriel liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Muriel's choice of leisure time activities. A methodical and patient worker, Muriel preferred to set aside uninterrupted time to work on her hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were travelling with the Friendship Force of Manitoba. She was also very active as a President Board Member of the Manitoba Music Festival. Muriel was content to sit quietly alone, enjoying her hobbies all by herself and could often be found just reading about her favorite pastimes.

      Due to her excellent organizational skills, Muriel was a welcome addition to the professional and community organizations to which she belonged. Muriel could bring established, successful methods to the discussion table, along with a generous helping of common sense. Muriel was good at making and keeping schedules and never got bogged down in unnecessary details. Throughout her later years, Muriel was an active supporter of many organizations including The Winnipeg Symphony,The Gilbert Sullivan Organization, Winnipeg Music Educators, and the Retired Women Teachers' Association.

      An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, faith was important to Muriel. Her compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was evident in her personal beliefs. In her youth she was a member of the Tabernacle Church and later on became a member at Bethesda Church in Winnipeg. During her time at Bethesda she was a music director.

      Muriel loved to travel, some of her favourite vacations included Brazil, England, Scotland, New Zealand, and of course her summers at Wanasing Beach.

      When Muriel's retirement finally arrived in 1998, she was well prepared. She had taken the time to learn about her various options and chose her course wisely. In retirement, she found new pleasure in learning to play Bridge, the Toast Mistress Program, travelling with the Friendship Force, and music within the church. Even in retirement, Muriel continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered her. It wasn't until Christmas 2009 that Muriel relocated to Sault Ste. Marie to be closer to family.

      Muriel passed away on December 2, 2012 at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Muriel struggled with Alzheimer's and later Parkinson's Disease. She is survived by her sister Beth, and eight nieces and nephews. Services were held at Bethesda Church in Winnipeg. Muriel was laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery in Winnipeg, Manitoba with her mother and father.

      It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Muriel was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Muriel was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of woman to whom everyone was drawn. She was thorough and practical. Muriel Waldie was very literal with her words. You always knew where you stood with Muriel. She will be missed.

WALDIE, Muriel – Peacefully passed away at the Plummer Site (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) on Sunday, December, 2, 2012 at the age of 77. Loving sister of Beth Saunders (Gord) and the late Norman Waldie (late Vivian). Cherished aunt of Cheryl Ackerman (Phil), Brenda Bond (Brooks), Cindy Waldie, Gary Saunders (Nancy), David Saunders (Liz), Lori Bychko (late Wally), Greg Saunders (Erin), Janet Gobeil (Steve) and also survived by many great nieces and nephews. Muriel was past President of the Manitoba Music Educators and also of the Winnipeg Music Festival, where she also conducted many award-winning school choirs in her position as Music Consultant to the Winnipeg School Division No. 1. She was a member of the Wednesday Morning Musical Retired Teacher’s Association, on the Executive of Retired Women’s Teacher’s Association, member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society (Alpha Chapter), International Toastmistress (Nellie McClung Club), Music Co-ordinator of Bethesda Church as well as a long time member and belonged to many other associations. She enjoyed performances of the Winnipeg Symphony, Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Prairie Theatre. In Winnipeg’s Centennial year Muriel formed the Maple Leaf Centennial Children’s Choir, which performed for Princess Margaret at City Hall, and on many other festive occasions and in concert. Muriel was awarded the Order of the Buffalo by the Province. Muriel loved to travel and as a young lady travelled and worked her way around the world for a year. More recently she joined Friendship Force of Manitoba and, along with her friend Shirley Twerdun, travelled to many places in North America and abroad. Memorial Service will be held from the Bethesda Church on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 10 am. Pastor Mark Wilcoxson officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Manitoba, (Attention Shirley Twerdun Foundation, 2109 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 0L3). (Arrangements entrusted to the Thomson Funeral Home 204-783-7211). Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com

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WALDIE, Muriel – Peacefully passed away at the Plummer Site (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) on Sunday, December, 2, 2012 at the age of 77. Loving sister of Beth Saunders (Gord) and the late Norman Waldie (late Vivian). Cherished aunt of Cheryl Ackerman (Phil), Brenda Bond (Brooks), Cindy Waldie, Gary Saunders (Nancy), David Saunders (Liz), Lori Bychko (late Wally), Greg Saunders (Erin), Janet Gobeil (Steve) and also survived by many great nieces and nephews. Muriel was past President of the Manitoba Music Educators and also of the Winnipeg Music Festival, where she also conducted many award-winning school choirs in her position as Music Consultant to the Winnipeg School Division No. 1. She was a member of the Wednesday Morning Musical Retired Teacher’s Association, on the Executive of Retired Women’s Teacher’s Association, member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society (Alpha Chapter), International Toastmistress (Nellie McClung Club), Music Co-ordinator of Bethesda Church as well as a long time member and belonged to many other associations. She enjoyed performances of the Winnipeg Symphony, Manitoba Theatre Centre and the Prairie Theatre. In Winnipeg’s Centennial year Muriel formed the Maple Leaf Centennial Children’s Choir, which performed for Princess Margaret at City Hall, and on many other festive occasions and in concert. Muriel was awarded the Order of the Buffalo by the Province. Muriel loved to travel and as a young lady travelled and worked her way around the world for a year. More recently she joined Friendship Force of Manitoba and, along with her friend Shirley Twerdun, travelled to many places in North America and abroad. Memorial Service will be held from the Bethesda Church on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 10 am. Pastor Mark Wilcoxson officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Manitoba, (Attention Shirley Twerdun Foundation, 2109 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 0L3). (Arrangements entrusted to the Thomson Funeral Home 204-783-7211). Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com