Muriel Murray

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that Muriel’s family announces her passing on Friday, February 24, 2023.

Muriel was a true Vancouverite; she was born in Vancouver on January 12th, 1928. Her family moved to Sumas Prairie where she grew up with three brothers who were competitive and athletic. Growing up with her brothers she learned to strive to do her best in anything she did. She also learned the value of working hard.

After she graduated from high school, she enrolled in nursing school at St. Paul’s Hospital and graduated in 1950. Through her nursing education, she learned to be a compassionate, caring and kind nurse who always put her patients first.

Muriel met her husband, George in 1951 and married in 1952. After they were married, Muriel and George started a family and moved to Prince George. While raising her two daughters, Marian and Barbara and her son, George, she also worked as a registered nurse at the Prince George Hospital.

When the family moved back to the Lower Mainland they lived on the North Shore; a community Muriel loved. Muriel was very devoted to her children and encouraged their athletic endeavours at the North Shore Winter Club.

During this time, she worked at St. Paul’s Hospital as an RN and a relief head nurse on the medical ward. She nursed the very first HIV/Aids patients in British Columbia. Muriel loved her job and really did not want to retire when she turned the age of 65. Recently, when she received her third COVID-19 vaccination, a community nurse came to Barbara and Amrit’s home where Muriel lived and the nurse realized she had worked with Muriel at St. Paul’s Hospital. She said to Muriel, “Oh, you are my Mrs. Murray. I worked with you and you were an excellent nurse and so kind to everyone”. Young nurses who crossed paths with Muriel told her she was an inspiration to them and a wonderful role model.

Muriel had an adventurous soul and loved to travel. She enjoyed her trips to the U.S., the U.K., Europe (especially to the Christmas Craft markets) and to Russia. On her travels she loved to rent a car and explore the country side of the countries she visited.

Muriel was a wonderful grandmother to her grandchildren and enjoyed taking Chantelle and Sergei to the beach and doing fun activities to make them laugh. She was also very devoted to Charlotte and Hannah in their early years.

Her favourite team was the Vancouver Canucks and her favourite coach was Bruce Brodeau. She loved to listen to their games.

Muriel had many health challenges in the last five years of her life, which she overcame with grit, grace and dignity. Her daily phone calls from Gert, her sister-in law, really helped buoy her spirits. She received so much joy from her connection and calls from Chantelle and her great grand sons, Lucas and Owen to hear about their academic achievements and their Taekwondo. She enjoyed visits with her daughter, Marian. Up until her last few days she had an unwavering will to live.

Muriel was predeceased by her mother, father, brothers (Norman, Stanley and Glen), her husband, her beloved son, George, and her grandson, Sergei.

Muriel is survived by her daughters, Barbara (Amrit), Marian, her granddaughters, Chantelle (Scott), Charlotte and Hannah, her great-grandsons, Lucas and Owen (Chantelle’s sons) and her sisters-in law, Gert and Marie. Muriel was so fortunate to have exceptional caregivers, Priya, Natt and Hansatu. Their care allowed Muriel to live at home with Barbara and Amrit.

Priya made her 95th birthday so special by having her brothers from Kenya and Lebanon call and wish her a “happy birthday”.

The family would like to thank Dr. Vyselar, Dr. McKenzie, Dr. Parhar, Ricardo, her very special physiotherapist, Cedarview Day Respite, the pharmacists and assistants at Save-On Foods as well as the nurses and doctors at Lions Gate Hospital.

A private service will be held for family. In lieu of flowers, please provide a donation to the BC Cancer Agency, Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Canadian Institute for the Blind.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialnorthvancouver.com for the Murray family.