BARCLAY; Muriel
Muriel Barclay died on October 15th after a brief illness. She is survived by her sister, Marjorie; her daughter, Susan and her son-in-law, Raymond. Her husband, Andrew, died in 2001. Born in Liverpool, England, she married Andrew Barclay in 1953, and they moved to Canada on a whim in 1964, settling in North Vancouver after a year in Saskatoon. Their daughter, Susan, was born in 1969. The family moved to Chilliwack in 1991. Muriel was a master dressmaker who shared her expertise with the community by working with the UFV Theatre department, with youth at community programs and at schools, and with her daughter’s schools by creating elaborate costumes for plays. She discovered her gift at age 5 by tracing her little sister on paper to create a pattern for her, but failed to realize people were three dimensional. She entered a seven year apprenticeship at age 14 at the Bon Marche, where she further developed her incredible talent for pattern and dress making. For someone so quiet, Muriel made a huge impact on those who met her. She often shocked us by saying the right thing at just the right time or cracking the perfect joke. She created a home where everyone felt welcome, and it was always filled with kids during her daughter’s childhood. We joked she could find dust in an operating room, such was her focus on being tidy. She was generous, donating much to the Salvation Army and always giving extra to the Food Bank every time she shopped, and kind. She loved being a part of the YMCA’s Aging with Attitude program, which she attended for many years until she fell ill. We ask that you consider a donation to the Chilliwack YMCA in lieu of flowers. A Memorial will be held at her family home on Sunday, October 30th from 1 pm to 5 pm (drop in). Please phone (604) 824-0678 or e-mail sjbarclay@telus.net for more information or to share your memories of Muriel.