MURIEL GRACE PRESANT (CUMBERLAND) BSCN RN

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MURIEL GRACE PRESANT (CUMBERLAND) BSCN RN We're saddened to announce Muriel's sudden but peaceful passing in Winnipeg on February 23, 2012. She was predeceased by her husband E. John (Jack) Presant in 2009, her parents Violet (née Houston) and Robert Cumberland, brothers Bill, Burns, Donald and sister Edna. She is survived by her sons John, Doug (Jocelyn), Don (Jennifer) and Rob (Celia), and grandchildren Greg, Jim and Catherine. Born January 17, 1926 in Elfros, SK, Muriel grew up in Hudson Bay Junction, SK, the youngest daughter of a rural doctor. Her keen intellect helped her to advance quickly at school, graduating from high school at 16. She went on to earn a BSc in Nursing and qualified as an RN at the University of Western Ontario and Hamilton General Hospital in 1947. It was during this time that she earned the nickname of Fishie, based on her story about delivering a package of fresh fish for her father, who had an unfortunate taste for binder twine, probably because duct tape had not yet been invented. Muriel and Jack married in 1949. They lived in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec before going overseas with their four boys in 1966 when Jack began working for Canadian Immigration. Muriel worked hard to make a home for them in Cologne, Berlin, Brussels, Ottawa, Belfast, Cairo, Islamabad and Lima over the course of 20 years. While in Northern Ireland, her favourite posting, she re-qualified as a nurse, serving cancer patients at the Ulster General Hospital. That experience sparked her lasting interest in palliative care. Muriel and Jack retired in 1986 and began a new life in Whiteside, Cape Breton by their beloved Atlantic Ocean. This was the longest they had stayed in one place and they made the most of it, winning new friends and working to weave themselves into the community. After Jack's death in 2009, she joined Don and Jennifer in Winnipeg, and greatly enjoyed watching her granddaughter Catherine grow. She moved into Sterling House and began again to establish herself in the community there. In the course of a full life on five continents she made many friends and a few enemies with her sharp wits, bracing candour and lively sense of humour, coupled with the courage to act on the behalf of those in need. She was a fearless advocate for the rights of palliative care patients and veterans. She did not suffer fools gladly and did not back down from a fight. She cared for her family and close friends fiercely but lovingly. Plans are underway for a celebration of Muriel and Jack's lives in June in Ontario, followed by interment at the Last Post Fund Memorial Columbarium in Fairview Lawn Cemetery, overlooking Halifax Harbour. A web memorial has been set up for her at http://bit.ly/MGPresant. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Last Post Fund or a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 03, 2012