Obituary of Muriel McCluskey

Muriel McCluskey passed away very peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, March 11 in Oakville, after enjoying a number of days of family and friends’ visits and storytelling. Daughter of Charles and Martha, Muriel was born on June 24, 1925 in Yorkshire, England. Muriel grew up in Derbyshire, a stunning landscape of small villages and rolling, heather draped hills in mining country, which formed the backdrop of the stories of her youth. Along with her siblings, Joyce and Arnold, Muriel acquired a sharp sense of wit and love of laughter, which we recall fondly in her antics that lasted late into life. At the age of 14 Muriel was recruited into the British Land Army in support of the war efforts, where she and the other girls of her age made munitions. She matter-of-factly recounts stories of brushing the broken glass off the bus seats before riding to the factory, and of the shelters where they would wait out the air raids. When Muriel was 18, she met the love of her life “Jack” at a local dance, while Jack was training at nearby Hardwick Hall. Muriel and Jack would marry a year later, beginning a 74 year lifelong journey together and having 6 sons. The family spent the early part of their life together at the fire station in Birkenhead, before emigrating to Canada in 1960. Muriel worked a number of years as an operator at Bell Telephone and eventually settled into managing the home and caring for a group of grandchildren that would eventually grow to number 13, and be followed with 13 more great grandchildren. From homemade Halloween costumes to custom fitted doll outfits, from hand carved apple dolls to finely detailed embroidered blankets, Nana employed her incredible gift for arts and crafts to their delight, while passing along her artistic talent to more than a few.Muriel is survived by sons Michael (Mary), Brian (Fiona), Peter (Leigh), Paul (Janet) and Mark (Christine). Proud and devoted Nana to Christopher, Robert, Carly, Brent, Branden, Mina, Ian, Erin, Kelly, Mason, Megan, Jennifer and Tyler and great-grandmother to Declan, Charlotte, Parker, Ella, Grace, Dylan, Lilly, Grace, Aidan, Reegan, Caelum, Jack and Gillian. Will be sadly missed by her many nieces and nephews in Canada and in England. Predeceased by her husband Jack, son Ian, sister Joyce and brother Arnold.Our most heartfelt appreciation to Diane and the amazing team of caregivers at Northridge - your kindness to Muriel and Jack will never be forgotten. To the nursing staff of the palliative care team at Oakville Hospital, our Mum was truly blessed to be in your wonderful care in her final days. The family will gather for the burial on Friday March 20, at Glen Oaks Cemetery, and look forward to planning a full celebration of Muriel’s life in the coming months.