Obituary of Muriel Winnifred O'Brien

Muriel Winnifred (née Dowell) O’Brien, in her 80th year, Muriel (Murt) passed away peacefully in her sleep and with family by her side on December 30, 2010 at the Moncton Hospital. Born in Wolfville NS, Muriel attended Kings County Academy and went on to graduate from Max Business College, Kentville NS. From there she worked as Town Clerk for the Town of Kentville. She married Harry (Toot) O’Brien in 1954 and they had two daughters, Shuan and Shelly. They lived in Centreville NS until 1964 when Harry’s career took the family to Yarmouth NS. In Yarmouth, Muriel began volunteering with the Girl Guides of Canada and the Yarmouth Lions Club, Lioness. In 1971 the family moved to Moncton/Riverview NB where Muriel continued her involvement with the Girl Guides and worked part-time in day care with her sister Gaylene. In her later years she once again joined the Lioness of the Riverview Lions Club. Murt loved being with family and friends and was lots of fun to be around. She kept us all laughing to the end and will be remembered for her great sense of humour, her funny stories and songs and her kind heart. She was the daughter of the late George St. Clair (Bob) Dowell and Lavaugn Marie Dowell (née Redden). She was predeceased by her husband, Harry Leroy O’Brien; infant daughter Wanda Faye; infant son Steven Leroy; brothers William (Bill), Wayne, and George Dowell; and sister, Eunice Lorraine. Fond memories of Murt’s life will live on through her many family members and friends and the stories and shared laughs will certainly be shared over and over. There is no doubt that some stories will be embellished for humorous effect but we know that she wouldn’t mind that. She will be missed by all who loved her, her daughters Shuan MacDonald (Scott) and Shelly O’Brien (Mervyn Hann); her grandchildren Kathryn MacDonald and Griffin and Josh Hann; her sisters Betty Evans (Dave); Bonnie Ells (Laurie); Lynda Durno (Bruce); Gaylene LeBlanc (Allain); her brothers John Dowell (Esther) and Arthur Dowell (Laverne); close family friend Darlene Smith; as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; other family members and friends. The family would like to thank the staff of Camden Park Terrace, Moncton and the Moncton City Hospital, particularly Drs. Enright, McCaw, Brennan, Breau for the very considerate care provided to Muriel as her needs increased over the last year. A celebration of Muriel’s life is scheduled for Saturday January 8, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Riverview Lions Club, 701 Coverdale Road, Riverview NB. A memorial service and burial will take place in the summer of 2011 in Kentville, NS. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations to the charity of your choice or the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs would be appreciated. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Riverview Funeral Home 214 Pine Glen Rd. Riverview, NB (506) 857-9544. Online condolences can be made via www.tuttlefuneralhome.caService Information Saturday, January 8, 2011