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CROOKS, Muriel

January 9, 1922 - December 26, 2014


Longtime White Rock resident Muriel Crooks passed away peacefully on Boxing Day, two weeks by of her 93rd birthday. Muriel always lived life to its fullest and was the source of so much joy, fun and laughter to her family, friends and neighbors. Born and raised in Toronto, her first job was working in her family's picture framing shop on Davenport Road. In 1940 she married her husband Bill and took up her patriotic duty as an original "Bomb Girl", working in the GECO munitions factory in Scarborough. Searching for better opportunities when the war ended, and to be closer to her parents, William and Clara Haines (who had been living on Victoria Ave. since 1938), Muriel and Bill moved to White Rock in 1946 with their three small children. While raising Bob, Virginia and Pauline in the 1950's, Muriel was involved with the PTA, the Rebekahs, and the Order of the Royal Purple. In 1961 she returned to work, first at the post office on Campbell River Road, then as a waitress at the Ocean Beach Hotel, followed by 14 years as a cook at Berkeley Pavilion and Peace Arch Hospital. Muriel's retirement was filled with trips aboard to places such as Russia, Spain, and the Caribbean, and of course numerous bus trips to Reno, where her lucky streak always seemed to follow her. Muriel was close to her neighbors on 20A Avenue and considered them an extension of her own family; she hosted many garden parties over the years and the highlight would always be the appearance of a special guest - Muriel dressed up as a 1920's flapper, Ugly Betty, Mother Nature or in some other well crafted disguises. Muriel was predeceased by Bill in 1997, and her cat Pepsi in 2013. She is survived by her three children, five grandchildren, six great grandchildren and one great great grandson; her brother Ken in Ontario; her extended "family" of neighbors on 20A Avenue and many friends at the Peninsula Retirement Residence. Many thanks to the caring staff at Chartwell Crescent Gardens where Muriel spent her final months.