Obituary for
Muriel Rita Sprenger (Sibbald)
MURIEL RITA SPRENGER (Sibbald)
Born: January 31, 1925 Brandon, Manitoba
Died: March 9, 2020 Ottawa, Ontario
Muriel was the daughter of Rita Mabel (Van Blaricom) and James Henry (Harry) Sibbald. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Robert Alexander (Bob) Sprenger and cherished infant daughter, Sandra Rita. Muriel is survived by her children, Douglas (Mei), Karen (Siegfried) and Ralph (April). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Christopher (Brittany), Adrienne, Charley (Scott), Kathryn (Kayla), Sydney (Nathan), Kathleen, Mack (Julie) and Laura (Corey). Muriel was thrilled with the arrival of her first great-grandchild, Luke, in January. She was pre-deceased by her siblings, William Roy Sibbald, Doreen Blanche Cook and Kathryn (Kay) Winnifred McFerran. She is survived by her nieces, Jan, Maureen, Denise, Andrea, Judy and Brenda.
Muriel had a powerful community spirit that inspired others. Her compassion and empathy shone through good days and bad days to the end. At age 17, she went into training to become a nurse. This was just the right career for such a kind and caring person. In many lives, she made a difference. She loved her family unconditionally. Muriel was always quick to help wherever she was needed. Family, neighbours, schools and the community benefited from her time and expertise.
Although she always called herself a “Manitoba Girl”, she moved to many places as her family grew. She left Manitoba to marry in Ireland, then moved on to Scotland, Denmark, Germany, England, Ottawa, Toronto, Whitehorse, Prince Rupert and back to Ottawa. She made good friends everywhere and kept in touch through regular letter-writing. Everyone loved to receive her Christmas and birthday cards. She never forgot or neglected anyone. As she moved into advanced age, she regularly made younger friends. Recently, she received more than 40 birthday cards with lovely letters for her 95th birthday. They were all still proudly on display in her room when she died.
Muriel was a life-long volunteer. She knit for WWII soldiers in her high school home economics classes and kept knitting until recently. She donated blood as often as allowed, until she was told she was too old. In various locations she participated in hospital auxiliaries, school councils, Anglican Church Women (ACW), CNIB (her Dad was blind) and Meals-on-Wheels. She was a Brownie leader in Whitehorse. She helped create fund-raising community cookbooks (hard work!), served at luncheons and teas, sewed dozens of tablecloths to be used at church events, created crafts and cheerfully washed a lot of event dishes!
Muriel had no interest and no patience for getting old. She volunteer delivered hot Meals-on-Wheels until her late 80s when she needed a cane to get up the stairs. She loved her home on Fourth Avenue and was a familiar sight walking and bicycling up to Bank Street regularly. When getting old became unavoidable she made her last move to Elmsmere Retirement Villa. This was the hardest of many moves, but it was not long before she began to talk about her new friends. Special thanks to the staff and residents of Elmsmere and the many personal support workers from Bayshore Home Healthcare. She loved to hear about your families and your interests. Thank you to Dr. Wildhine Lominy for her care and compassion. Thanks to Renee and Sharon for your welcome social visits. Private funeral arrangements have been completed. Muriel’s ashes will be taken to her family farm in Manitoba at her request. Please donate to a charity of your choice in Muriel’s honour if you wish, or support the great work of Hospice Care Ottawa. Thank you to all of you for being part of Muriel’s life. She enjoyed your company and will continue to be “with you in spirit”.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Muriel Rita
Sprenger Sibbald 1925 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Ottawa, Province: Ontario