Obituary of Muriel Bishop

BISHOP, Muriel Odessa - 103, Aylesford, Kings Co., passed away on Wednesday, May 19, 2010, in the Grand View Manor, Berwick. Born on February 13, 1907, in Greenwood Square, Kings Co., she was a daughter of the late Chipman and Martha (Nichols) Spinney. Muriel was the last surviving member of her immediate family. After her education in Kingston and Kentville, she chose a career in Nursing. Muriel trained in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, receiving an R.N. with honours. Following graduation, she practiced nursing in Pawtucket for a number of years, while living with the Henry Aldridge family. While in Nova Scotia on a visit, Muriel was asked by Dr. Harold Killam to provide private nursing care for John White. Engaged in this activity, she stayed beyond her working visa, and was unable to return to work in Pawtucket. Muriel subsequently met and married his son, Wilfred White. In 1938, the Blanchard Fraser Memorial Hospital was opened in Kentville, and she became one of the first members of its new nursing staff. A few years later, she had her husband established White?¢s Nursing Home in Welsford, where the standards were always high, and the care excellent. This was a period of long working days for Muriel. A normal day began before 6 a.m., and continued until close to midnight. There were many trips up and down the stairs for her and she always suggested that the hard work made her strong, and granted her longevity. During those years, Muriel was always able to attend to the medical emergencies of neighbours, friends and family. These stories and accounts only came to light in years later as appreciation and gratitude were expressed, and her typical comment would be, - Oh, I had forgotten.쳌 Eventually the nursing home was closed and the Welsford farm was sold, and Wilfred and Muriel retired to a new home in Aylesford. She chose to make a home there for both her mother, Martha Spinney, and (Aunt) Etta Martin. Fortunately, Muriel and Wilfred had the opportunity to take a trip across Canada, before he suffered a major stroke. Her second marriage, in 1974, was to Paul Bishop, of Somerset, when her family grew to include a step-daughter, Mary McMahon, and two step-sons, Robert and Paul Jr. In 1978, Muriel?¢s nursing skills were again called to service, when her husband, Paul, suffered kidney failure, and went on a home dialysis program. Her skill and loving care extended and substantially improved the quality of his life, until his death in 1985, Muriel enjoyed playing bridge, was active in the Red Cross Society, the Aylesford United Church Women and in the Canadian Cancer Society. She loved to host family gatherings. After the loss of her second husband, she typically attended many community suppers and social events. During this time, Muriel made a winter home available to her aunts, Lo Nichols and Fanny Collins. She later cared for her brother, Clinton Spinney and his wife Nellie in her home as their health declined. Surviving are cousins, Bunny Small and Jeanette Herbert, Aylesford; Donald Collins, Winnipeg, Man.; Ardyth Temple, Auburn; Ester Phillips, Ocola, Florida; nieces, Donna (John) Boutilier, Middleton; Betty Jean (Les) Gaul, Greenwood Square; nephew, Darrell Cook, Kingston. Besides her parents and husbands, Wilfred White and Paul Bishop; she was predeceased by sisters, Bessie (Ken) Cook; Erdeena (Donald) White; brother, Clinton (Nellie) Spinney; nephew, Douglas White; niece, Shirley Spinney; cousins, Margaret, Gerald, Myrtle, Paul, Thelma and Laverne. Muriel sold her home in Aylesford in 2003, at the age of 96, and moved to Orchard View Apartments, and later to the Ross Unit of the Grand View Manor, where she always reported receiving excellent care. Muriel had many visitors at the manor, but typically told each one that they were the only in that day. The manor staff, however, suggested that she enjoyed more visitors than all the other Ross Unit residents combined. She continued to miss her Aylesford home, and always told people to be happy, not sad, when she was gone. Muriel was a member and faithful supporter of the Aylesford United Church, 2414 Hwy # 1, Aylesford, from where her funeral service will take place at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 22. Rev. Wayne Mitton officiating, with Interment in the Aylesford Union Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to any charity. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of the H.C. Lindsay Funeral Home, 192 Commercial St., Berwick, N.S., B0P 1E0, (902-538-9900). Condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home address or by visiting: www.lindsayfuneralhome.ca