NEWELL, MURIEL ANN

It is with deep sadness that the family and friends of Muriel Ann (Pike) Newell, (Moo) announce her death on Tuesday June 20, 2017 at the John M. Gray Centre in St. Anthony, NL. There was love in the beginning, as Muriel was an only child born of parents, Mary Edna and Joseph Taylor Pike of Red Bay, Labrador on October 29, 1930. There she lived until, at the age of 13, her widowed mother decided life might be easier for them both if they moved to St. Anthony, NL. They travelled by coastal boat and began working for the Grenfell Mission. Muriel was a nurses’ aide at the age of 16, then a teacher, a Co-op store clerk, and later in life, a store manager for “Newell’s Confectionary”. She married John William Newell (the Co-op Store Manager) and together they raised a family, and cared for her mother until she died in 1972. A strong, vivacious, loving, intelligent, witty woman, she will be fondly remembered by many. Left to mourn are her children, Gary, Tony, Trudy and Wayne and their spouses, Michele Hodder, Beverly, Stewart Read, and Ella, respectively.  A special niece, Louise (Buchanan) Reid will miss her Aunt Moo. Her grandchildren include Andrea (Richard) Kelly; Stephen Newell; Samantha Read (Matthew Cole); Christopher Read (Jacinta Briand); Matthew Newell (Robyn); Jenna Newell; and Hayley Newell who lived beside her for all of her 13 years.  Nan Newell had great grandchildren, Jacob and Maria Kelly and Sarah Newell. Her special cat, Trixie, provided many hours of comfort to her in recent years as she struggled with dementia. She was a kind neighbour and good friend to many, but special friends stayed by her side to the end and included Lottie Simms, Jeanette Hostetter, and Marjorie Richards. Muriel was surrounded by love at the end. A service of remembrance was held at St. Anthony United Church on Friday June 23, 2017 with Rev. John Maich officiating. She was laid to rest beside her Husband, John in the Fishing Point United Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to her next door neighbour, Lee Nippard of Kerry M. Fillatre’s Funeral Home, St. Anthony and Roddickton.