Muriel Emily (Smith) MacKenzie

Muriel Emily MacKenzie (née Smith) was born on December 16,1922, and passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025, at the age of 102.

Muriel was born in Glendyer, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where she was happy growing up on her family’s farm, surrounded by a large market garden with many fruit trees and chickens.

Muriel met Earl MacKenzie while working as a secretary in a pathology lab in Halifax. Muriel and Earl kept in touch during World War II, during which time Earl served overseas until 1945. In 1946, Muriel and Earl were married in Halifax.

In 1947, Muriel and Earl moved to British Columbia—first to Vernon, where Earl’s father had settled in the late 1800s, and then to Salmon Arm, where Earl and Muriel established the second location of the family business, MacKenzie’s Men’s Wear.

Muriel and Earl raised three children: William (Bill), Arthur (Art), and Lora Jean (deceased 1964).

Muriel was a seventy-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was also an active member of the United Church Women’s Group and one of the founding members of the Salmar Theatre. Muriel was also one of the founding members of the Shuswap Community Foundation. 

Muriel became a world traveller in her later years. She was a proud and outspoken Canadian. Muriel was a highly competitive and accomplished bridge player and an excellent golfer, even achieving a hole-in-one.

It is impossible to write about Muriel without mentioning her passion for gardening and flower arranging.

Muriel is survived by her sons, Bill and Art; her daughter-in-law, Anne; her granddaughter, Esther, and her husband, Peter; and her great-grandson, Casper, whom she was delighted to meet for the first time just a few weeks ago.

Muriel came from a large, closely knit family and enjoyed keeping in touch with her nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her loving brother, Russell.

Muriel will be laid to rest with her husband, Earl, and daughter, Lora Jean.

In her memory, donations may be made to the Earl and Muriel MacKenzie Family Endowment at the Shuswap Community Foundation:
https://shuswapfoundation.ca/our-funds/fund/earl-and-muriel-mackenzie-family-endowment/

A celebration of Muriel’s life will be held in the coming weeks.