Date de Décès: 2008-05-18
Date de Parution: 2008-05-28
Source: The Markdale Standard, ON
STEPHENS, Muriel Florence - Muriel was born in Euphrasia Township, a daughter of the late Mitchell and Myrtle (née Field) Harvey on February 28, 1918. She passed away at the Meaford Long Term Care Centre on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at the age of 90. Muriel attended school in a 'one room school house near the family farm and enjoyed the rural life learning many farm and homemaking skills from her parents. She and Lawrence Stephens were married in Markdale on June 15, 1938 and Lawrence, while working at farming also worked in the lumber industry in forestry with Stanley Knight Limited from Meaford and sold farm machinery. Farming being her husband's true interest saw the couple engaged in the business in a few areas in the County and eventually they settled on a farm near Lawrence's family home in St. Vincent Township. There Muriel worked along side her husband and she became well known in the area for her interest in the community. She was a 25 year member of the Bognor Women's Institute and an active member of the United Church Women. Although she and Lawrence had no children of their own, their home was open to the many nieces and nephews and the family for holidays and family celebrations. Muriel enjoyed to preparing meals and baking and was skilled as a seamstress, quilter as well as being talented in needlework and crocheting. She provided may hand made gifts to her family and friends whom she treasured. Muriel and Lawrence retired to Meaford and established many new friends in the community while keeping in touch with the rural community in the Township and Markdale area of her youth. Muriel enjoyed her gardening, whether it be flowers or vegetables, which she tended carefully while her health permitted. Muriel was predeceased by her beloved husband Lawrence Edgar Stephens in May 1989. After a few years she relocated her home to an apartment in Markdale where she maintained her contributions to the work of the church and community. Latterly, as health concerned dictated, Muriel returned to Meaford establishing a new home and residence at the Meaford Long Term Care Centre. She is remembered as a dear sister by brothers Lloyd Harvey, Russell Harvey and his wife Joyce, Don Harvey and his wife Isabel, Leonard Harvey (late Alieda), all of Markdale and sisters Lois and her husband Laverne Lyons of Markdale and Velma Edwards of Burlington. Brothers Gerald Harvey in his youth and Earl Harvey in infancy and sisters Sadie McFadden (late Alvin), Teresa Tebbutt (late Clarence), both of Markdale and Laverne Hamilton of Owen Sound all predeceased their sister Muriel. She will be remembered also by brother-in- law Patrick Hamilton of Owen Sound, sister- in-law Marjorie (late Elmer) Hodgkinson of Meaford and by her many nieces and nephews and their families. She was also predeceased by her brother-in-law Henry (late Hilda) Stephens of Chatsworth, Vera (late Alex) Ormsby of Meaford, and Lillian (late David) Martin of Owen Sound. Funeral services, officiated by Reverend Judith Oliver, were conducted at the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME in Meaford on Wednesday May 21, 2008 with interment and committal services following at Lakeview Cemetery. Niece Verla Cramp- White delivered remembrances of Muriel on behalf of the family and grand-niece Elyse Trevithick provided two solos in tribute to her great-aunt. Serving as pallbearers were Neil and Nathan Trevithick, Mac, Paul and Jeff Harvey, and Rick Hodgkinson. 11098799