July 10, 1918 - November 3, 2022
Our dear Aunt Muriel passed away peacefully in Bradley Centre at the age of 104.
Muriel was born on the family farm to Annie and Albert Toop and was granddaughter to pioneers Hector and Sara Toop. When younger brother Ken married Phyllis in 1947 Muriel and her parents moved to a smaller home on the same property where they doted on Ken and Phyllis' children Shirley, Neil and Bill.
Their home was a loving escape and daily refuge for abundant TLC, board games, conversation and sleepovers.
Following Albert's death Muriel and her mom were almost inseparable, often being mistaken as sisters. They were active in the Women's Institute and seldom missed a Sunday at Sumas United Church, and when it closed, Carman United Church. Muriel and Annie took endless road trips across Western Canada and into the US and later Muriel took many guided tours. At 90, after Ken died, Muriel moved to the Lynnwood, where she enjoyed the congenial atmosphere for 12 years.
Muriel was exceptionally intelligent and had a steel trap memory. She had a love of history and was a resource for questions and arguments pertaining to local history, even beyond her centurion year. Reflecting back she would recall picnics with her parents at an undrained Sumas Lake and a two-month car trip to Southern California when she was a preschooler, a very rare experience at the time.
Muriel was an extremely dignified, respectful, happy and positive person who always saw good in the world and humanity. Her acceptance of cultural changes was far ahead of her time. It was a blessing to her family that she lived a long life in amazing physical and mental health...a wise elder to many, best friend to Shirley and Neil, and mentor to her great nieces and nephews: Jared, Leah, Jonathan and Allan.
Family would like to thank Dr. Scott Bakker for his respectful care of Muriel and excellent communication with Muriel and family.