Muriel Lotosky

It is with a sad and heavy heart that I announce the passing of Muriel Adeline Lotosky. 

Sixty-four days short of her 99th birthday, she passed peacefully in Durand Manor with daughter Thelma at her side.

Born in Waldo, BC, she spent most of her life in the Cranbrook, Lumberton, Creston and Golden areas with a short time in Vancouver. She began to work at age 16 and became proficient in many things.  She ran a bakery and cooked in small cafes. She learned carpentry from her father and built all the cupboards in her home. Her interests included cross-country skiing, beer making, cribbage, bridge club, poetry, upholstery, sewing, gardening, knitting socks, and a variety of other crafts and hobbies. She taught herself cake decorating and then started a business decorating wedding cakes and teaching that skill through the college. She learned Tai Chi Chih and then taught that to seniors.

Always interested and keen to learn, she began a yoga practice and started oil painting at age 50 and continued to paint until she turned 90. She was a lifetime member of the Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, actively volunteering from 1957-2013. After the death of her husband Alex in 1992, she took over the maintenance of her large yard and garden, using the ride-on-mower and snowblower – she was never one to back down from hard work! Her summer flower garden and hanging baskets were beautiful.

She was a woman ahead of her time – a natural feminist by nature and a strong advocate for racial equality. Fiercely independent and brave, she inspired and mentored many. All her life, Muriel enjoyed the friendship of people of all ages, who always found a sympathetic listener and a hot cup of tea, when they were welcomed into her house, and who benefited greatly from her clear and compassionate approach to life.

She is predeceased by her parents, Chris and Stella Bird Olson, her brothers Raymond and Bud and her husband Alex.  She is survived by her daughter Thelma (Duncan), grandson Nick (Rosanna) and great-granddaughter Josephine Stella. Also survived by her sister-in-law Marg Olson, many cousins including her painting partner Maureen Theil, numerous nieces and nephews and many very special young friends. There will be a celebration of life at a later date.