Muriel Irene Dunford

August 28, 1928 - May 13, 2025

In loving memory of Muriel Irene Dunford (née Poulton).

With the loving support of her family, Muriel ("Mue") left us peacefully on May 13, 2025, passing into the presence of her Lord and joining her lifelong love, Ken, her husband of 56 years. Muriel was predeceased by Ken in 2007; by her parents, Rupert and Alice; her sisters, Ruby and Grace; and her brothers, Alec, Walter, and Pat.

She is survived by her five children: daughters Meredythe (Leslie) Broadway, Jillian (George) Milosevich; sons Timothy (Sandra), Robin (Marion), and Darcy (RoxAnn) Dunford. Her legacy continues through her many grandchildren: Kenneth (Amanda), David (Mandy), and Jonathan (Kayla) Broadway; Kieran, Rhys, and Sydney Dunford; Scott and Steven (Ting) Dunford; Elise (Joe) and Michael (Camilla) Milosevich; and Drew and Nathan Dunford. She also leaves behind numerous great-grandchildren and their partners, all of whom were touched by her wisdom, humour, and faith.

Muriel was born in Lashburn, Saskatchewan and moved with her family to Clearwater in 1937, where her parents established a strawberry farm and where she met Ken. Throughout her life, she fostered a love of education, music, literature, history, and individual initiative. In 1946/7, at just 18 years old, Muriel began teaching school in Avola, B.C., before attending Normal School in Victoria, where she graduated as a qualified teacher. She returned to the Interior and taught in Barnhartvale and Clearwater before marrying Ken in 1950.

While raising their five children in Clearwater, Muriel supported Ken in the operation of their business, Dunford Logging Ltd., and nurtured in their home a shared love for the valley's forests, lakes, and mountains. With Ken's support, she emphasized the importance of classical music, language, reading, and Christian faith within the family. Even in her later years, as her faculties waned, she retained the ability to read, sing, and recite poetry she had composed as a young woman — a true testament to the depth of her intellect and creativity. Muriel was, in many ways, a woman ahead of her time.

After her teaching career, Muriel served for many years as the head librarian at the Clearwater Library. In 1979, she achieved a long-held goal by completing her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of British Columbia. Her intellectual pursuits continued as she spent the next decade researching and writing North River, the authoritative local history of the North Thompson Valley, published in 2000. The book, now in its second edition, remains a respected and valued resource for the region.

Muriel and Ken were actively involved in their community, contributing through their church, the Royal Canadian Legion, and even earning recognition as provincial carpet bowling champions. Muriel also served as a Trustee and Chair of the School Board for School District #26 (North Thompson), and as a member of the governing Council of Cariboo College (now Thompson Rivers University). Her civic dedication was honoured with the Queen's Jubilee Medal for Citizenship.

Muriel's faith in God was steadfast. Her church family and many enduring friendships meant the world to her, and she lived each day with gratitude, grace, and strength. Arrangements are entrusted to Drake Cremations & Funeral Services Ltd. A memorial service celebrating Muriel's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Clearwater Christian Church, 1010 School Rd., Clearwater, with Pastor Wayne Richardson officiating. In honour of Muriel's generous spirit, memorial gifts may be directed to Children Believe, a charity she and Ken faithfully supported, or to a Christian organization of your choice.

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