Mary C. Muir
1935 - 2006
Mary Catherine Muir - It is with regret that Kendra, Pam and Brad announce the passing of their mother, Mary Catherine (George) Muir on June 4, 2006. Born on December 8, 1935, our mother was the second youngest of the eleven children of Gertrude and Captain James George of Whitehall. A large family given to nicknames, the kids were Onnie, Einer, Garfield, Lawrence, Pat, Wink, Dook, Bubby, Jean, Mary and Willie. Mom met our father, Ken Muir, when he was working in Parrsboro for a summer. They were married for 35 years. Early on, they lived in various parts of Atlantic Canada but it was in 1970 that they moved back to Parrsboro and bought the Church Street home where their wedding reception had been hosted. It has been our family home since then. Mom’s children were the most important part of her life. Kendra was born in 1959, followed by Dee Dee in 1961, Pam in 1964 and Brad in 1966. Dee was 6 months old when she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and sadly, passed away in 1975 at the young age of 14. During our childhood years, our mother was active in the Curling Club and the Parrsboro Band Association. Ours was always a busy home, filled with children and friends, dogs and cats, and surrounded by the birds, flowering bushes, weeping willow trees and magnificent window boxes overflowing with the colorful geraniums that Mom loved so much. Her sense of humour and relaxed and comfortable way with people are what we will remember most about her. She loved to have a good laugh and could see the funny side of life. It was one of her best traits. In the mid 1980’s, with the children grown and a big empty house, Mom decided to open a small café in the ‘new part’ of our house. The small café blossomed into ‘My Place’, a restaurant well known for its ambiance, great food and pleasant company. Her greatest joy in later life was the arrival of her grandchildren. After waiting for years to be a grandma, she finally got her wish, with the births of Alix Power in 1994, Max and Abby Muir in 1996, and Sophie Power in 1998. We’re so glad Mom had a chance to know her grandchildren and to leave them with a lasting memory of how much she loved them. In the past few years Mom had been faced with many health issues. Her life was quieter and less active, though to the end she retained her ability to laugh. Kendra and Gerry, Pam and Al, and Brad and Linda will miss her dearly, as will her sister Einer and brothers, Bubby and Willie. Her final resting place will be at the St. Brigid’s cemetery in Parrsboro with her daughter Dee Dee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Funeral services Thursday, June 8, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. from Smith’s Funeral Home, Parrsboro.
