MURIEL MARIE COLLINS (BIRD)

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MURIEL MARIE COLLINS
(nee BIRD)
December 20, 1931 – February 8, 2022

On Tuesday, February 8, 2022 Muriel (Marie/Mom) of Selkirk, Manitoba passed away peacefully at the age of 90 years.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her two sons, Chris (Kit) and Brad (Dawn); grandchildren, Philip, Sean (Mica), Brenden (Brittany), Jordan (Tatjana), Michael (Mia), Kaylee (Ryan), Matthew, Ryan and Shayne; four great-grandchildren; her sister Audrey Stonehouse; nieces; nephews and friends.
Marie was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Marven in 2005; their eldest son Ron and her siblings, Harold Bird, Marion Rutter and Susie Fraser.
Marie was born in Springhill, Nova Scotia, the youngest of four children, where she attended Moncton School of Nursing and upon graduation, relocated to Winnipeg for employment prospects at the Women's Pavilion at the Health Sciences Centre in 1954. On June 10, 1955 she married the love of her life, Marven Collins. During her tenure with HSC, she continued her education and professional development, earning the title of Head Nurse and ultimately transferred to Concordia General Hospital to support its obstetrics department until her retirement in 1997. She was a skilled, compassionate and caring nurse and a revered leader among her peers.
Marie enjoyed many happy years living in Clandeboye prior to Marven's passing and thereafter, relocated to Selkirk to be closer to her ever growing family and her group of life long friends, who enjoyed shopping and lunch excursions in the surrounding area. Marie loved watching her grandchildren thrive, enjoyed music particularly old gospel and was an avid reader. Marie also loved to share many humorous stories of her years in Transcona with the neighborhood gang affectionately known as the Transcona Rat Pack and the Clandeboye Crew during their younger years, where entertaining and house parties were a regular occurrence, exhibiting her joix de vivre! No doubt a direct result of her East Coast upbringing and the joy that came from having family and friends around her table.
Marie was blessed with the devotion of her three sons, of whom she was very proud. Prior to Ron's passing, they enjoyed daily conversations of events with his perspective of how to solve the problems of the world. Her middle son Chris was particularly fond of her and enjoyed kibitzing and teasing her whenever the opportunity arose and she gave back as much as she received. Her son Brad, for whom she was so grateful, provided day to day support to her, particularly subsequent to her independence being restricted and his dedication and support was recognized by all. She was blessed by the friendship and company of special nieces, Karen (Brad) and Judy (Gerald), who shared many afternoons of tea, singing and lunches at the golf course for which she was always so grateful. Throughout her life, Marie possessed a quick wit and humour, which we were all witness to and enjoyed greatly.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday February 18, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk, with Rev. Anthon Bouw officiating. Luncheon in the hall will follow. Proof of vaccination will be required. For those unable to attend in person, a link to view the service virtually will be available via her obituary at:

ww.gilbartfuneralhome.com

Special thanks to the staff of Tudor House Personal Care Home for their compassionate care of our mother.

We love you Marie, Mom and Nana.
Condolences may be left on her tribute wall at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk
in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 12, 2022