Muriel Isabelle McMullen
With immense sadness the family of Muriel McMullen, 76, announces her sudden passing on Monday, November 27, 2017 in Atikokan, Ontario.
She was born on September 13, 1941 in St. Boniface, Manitoba. Her family moved to Atikokan when she was 10. She was united in marriage with Daniel McMullen on September 15, 1972.
Muriel always had a great love for children. While her family home on Hancock Boulevard was big, her heart was much bigger. Many family gatherings were hosted at the McMullen house: birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, wedding receptions, and farewell parties. Muriel thoroughly enjoyed having a full house. All her children’s friends were always welcome, despite the ever-present chaos that is typical in a family with ten children. This remained true throughout the children’s youth and led to three rounds as host families; twice for Canada World Youth and again for an exchange with students from Japan. As a result Muriel has a legacy of bonus children or many “eleventh daughters and sons”.
Once the children had all left and she and Dan became empty-nesters, Muriel worked with many children over the years providing daycare in her home as well as providing respite care to numerous families in the community. Her door was always open and no one was ever turned away.
Once widowed, Muriel began to work in the kitchen at the Atikokan General Hospital. The friendships she forged with the staff in the kitchen and throughout the hospital were very dear to her. She was an active member of the Catholic Women’s League since 1967 and Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary member since 2006. She loved to do crafts, particularly paper tolling in the 80s and more recently making greeting cards for friends and family. In the last few years she and her good friend Joan Bradshaw could be found participating in many healthy activities organized through the Atikokan Native Friendship Centre and the Atikokan Family Health Team such as Nordic Pole walking, swimming, and chair yoga. Her favourite part came afterward while catching up with the participants over a cup of coffee. Muriel also looked forward to her annual visits with the Wisconsin Crew lead by her extra special friend Terri Ross (another eleventh daughter).
She leaves behind her children Andrew McMullen (Jane) of McDougall, ON, Kathy (Blair) Campbell of Ear Falls, ON, Jody O’Leary of Atikokan, Kelly Stairs (Don Schlitt) of Hinton, AB, Carrie Savoie (Tim Armstrong) of Atikokan, Dean McMullen (Hazel Ramisch) of Atikokan, David (Rona) McMullen of Fort McMurray, AB, Shayne McMullen of Atikokan, Teresa (Roger) Tremblay of Thunder Bay, ON and Bella (Ed) Ojala of Atikokan, ON; Grandchildren Andrea McMullen (Martin Rohac), Travis Latell (Lindsay), Sarah Campbell (Scott Jonassen), Meagan O’Leary, Crystal Stairs, Bradley Cruise (Delilah Dickson), Samara Savoie, Brittany Savoie, Dean McMullen Jr., Amanda Goodman, Nickolas McMullen, Addison McMullen, Autumn McMullen, Payton McMullen, Mason Tremblay, Evan Tremblay, and Davin Ojala; great grandchildren Mackenzie Latell, Leland Jonassen, Heidi Jonassen, Kane Jonassen, Paisley Campbell-Jonassen, Whisper Stairs, Haven White, Taylor Robinson-Dickson, Mason Cruise, Hailey Cruise, Eric Goodman, A.J. Goodman, Abigail Osmar, Leah McMullen, and Harper McMullen; sister Madge Prokopchuk (Vic); brothers Ron, Robert (Diana) and David (Candi) Coulombe; goddaughter Debbie Douglass as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Muriel was pre-deceased by her parents Noel and Geraldine Coulombe; husband Daniel; in-laws Clarence McMullen, Jessie Horton, Don McMullen; granddaughter Angel Stairs, and brother Ken Coulombe.
A memorial service was held December 2 St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Atikokan, her grandchildren and great grandchildren as honourary pallbearers, aand a Catholic Women’s League Honour Guard. Cremation has taken place and a private interment will be held in the spring.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Atikokan General Hospital, or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made in care of www.GreenFuneralHomeFortFrances.com.
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