A celebration of life is being held this weekend for a member of a pioneer family in Mission.
Muriel Windebank was born in 1923 in the first Mission Memorial Hospital on Third Avenue and passed away June 17, 2014 at the age of 90.
Her father, W.J. Windebank, an electrician and plumber, served as a councillor and mayor for Mission.
Muriel pursued a career as an educator, teaching in rural Nakusp and Haney before returning to Mission to work at Mission Central, a school she attended as a child.
Muriel retired from teaching in 1953 to join the family business, W.J. Windebank Ltd. on First Avenue, where she taught customers about plumbing techniques and electrical devices.
According to the Mission Community Archives, she quickly established herself as “the very capable how-to woman of First Avenue.”
After she retired from the business in 1993, Muriel immersed herself in the history of the area. She joined the Mission District and Historical Society in 1994, and in 2003, received an honourary membership in recognition of her contributions. She also volunteered at the Mission museum and archives.
She was inducted in the Paths and Pathfinder: Women of Mission program in 2004 and received a lifetime achievement award from the District of Mission in 2006.
Muriel also loved music. She sang in the St. Andrew’s United Church choir until she was in her 80s, and served as the church’s organist for 47 years.
“She was a slice of old Mission,” said Coun. Jenny Stevens, who knew Muriel through the historical society.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church, 7756 Grand St.