Obituary of Muriel Pitts
It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the peaceful passing of their dear mother Muriel Muir-Pitts on April 13, 2021 in the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen Hospital. We grieve while we celebrate a life well lived, one filled with faithfulness, caring and compassion; generosity, kindness and prayerfulness; purpose, determination and responsibility. Our Mother’s virtues were many; we want our next generations, Mom’s beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren to know about her, her songs and stories and many of her qualities that endeared her to us.
Mom was born in Stellarton, NS on November 6, 1926 to parents Charles Dunn Muir and Annie Jane (Jennie MacKay) Muir. Mom enjoyed her younger years in Stellarton before the war years brought about its many challenges and changes to life as all had known it. Mom spoke of the hushed quiet of her home while everyone, especially her Mother worried and felt deep concern for sons/brothers Albert, Claude and Alex who had answered the call to service. Relief finally came to her family with their safe return in 1945. Mom never failed to honour our veterans at the cenotaph on Remembrance Day.
In 1946, Mom met our Dad, Daniel (Danny) Wilfred Pitts. They married in New Glasgow and moved into their new home. Mom’s first Christmas gift to her talented husband was a classic 1946-47 Gibson ES 150. This vintage guitar has become a family heirloom much enjoyed and treasured.
A year later, they welcomed the birth of their first child. As each child arrived, Mom honed her fine organizational skills and strong work ethic. She learned to make the best pastry and a variety of breads; we all loved Mom’s yummy biscuits, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and her barn doors (flat gingerbread).
On July 1, 1958 the family moved to Westville to their new home with its orchard, blueberry field and lots of space to play and explore. Once her children were older, Mom spent 20 years in elder care, first at the Valley View Villa, followed by providing kind and compassionate private personal home care. Mom enjoyed singing and every kind of music, especially the old hymns and songs her father sang. Her kitchen radio was always tuned into the local radio station.
Mom thoroughly enjoyed skating with her treasured friend Anne Oxenham, Westville. Mom enjoyed a good walk and found the same in her next-door neighbor and longtime friend Eva Fleury. Mom and Eva were also members of the Church of the Holy Name quilting group formed in the early 80s by Mom and fellow Catholic Womens League member, the Late Bella Dunn. The quilting group continues to this day and the CWL recognized Mom for her 40 years of dedicated service. For 30 years, Mom volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Diabetes Association, and the Pictou County Arthritis Society where she served a term as president. In the 80s, when several of her daughters joined the Balmoral Girls Pipe Band, she thoroughly enjoying her years as a band mother, chaperoning the band on its many band trips and at local events.
Left to mourn Mom’s passing are her daughters Sharon Henderson, Roger’s Hill; Norma (Gordon) Smith, Lower Sackville; Elaine (Paul) Steeves, British Columbia; Janet McLeod, Digby; Barb (Alan) Byard, British Columbia; Christa Pitts, Trenton; sons Jim, Saskatchewan; Robbie, Bible Hill; Brian (Brenda) Pitts, Lower Sackville; Clinton (Rhonda) Pitts, Westville; sister Catherine Phalen, British Columbia; 10 Grandchildren Paula, Rob, Karen, Krista, Tim, Tori Leigh, Christopher, Jeff, Tiera and Iain; and 6 great grandchildren Kaden, Alyssa, Hope, Andrew, Evan, Miles, William and Benjamin. She was predeceased by her children Alan, Brenda, Dennis, and Anne Marie, their father, her parents, her sisters Rose, Clara, Violet, Alice and Beverly; brothers Albert, Claude and Alex.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Eagles Funeral Home, Westville. The family will receive visitors on Sunday April 18, from 3-4:30 p.m. at Eagles Funeral Home, Westville. Masks and social distancing are required. A funeral mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 19 in Holy Name Church, Westville, with Father Peter MacDonald officiating. To attend the funeral, registration is required (funeral service only). The service will also be streamed live on the Stella Maris - Holy Name Church Facebook page. Donations in Mom’s memory can be made to the Salvation Army of Pictou County, the Canadian Cancer Society, the CWL of the Church of the Holy Name, Westville or a charity of your choosing.
The family would like to thank the medical staff at the Aberdeen Hospital for the great care they provided Mom during her illnesses over the years, and we thank the doctors and nurses of the Palliative Care Unit who took such wonderful kind and compassionate care of Mom in her final days.