September 18, 1929 - May 12, 2021
Muriel Gallicano (Mother Muriel) passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, at Mt. Cartier Court, Revelstoke, on Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 at the age of 91 years.
There will be a private family service later this year.
Muriel was born on September 18, 1929 in Revelstoke BC to Arthur and Nellie Parker and was one of nine children in a pioneer Revelstoke family. Muriel obtained her Registered Nursing degree at Kamloops General Hospital in 1951 and married Ralph Gallicano Sr. shortly afterwards.
They immediately started a family and Muriel took a break from her nursing career to enjoy her motherhood and to immerse herself in all the activities her family enjoyed.
Activities such as swimming, boating, ballet, baseball, talent shows and various talent festivals. She sewed many of her children's clothing, along with knitting on her various knitting machines.
Muriel also helped at the family bakery and even had a donut fryer set up in her kitchen to make "hole-in-one donuts" in the early morning hours, which were sold throughout the town.
Muriel and Ralph purchased Sally's Restaurant in 1969. Along with her responsibilities as a housewife and mother she made the restaurant's pies each morning before going to help at the restaurant in the afternoon. Life was busy but Muriel never tired of running full steam ahead and had an amazing amount of energy and passion for all that she wanted to do.
Ralph's nickname for her became "Angel" because she was always available to lend an ear or help with anything, especially for many of the teenagers that frequented the restaurant.
Muriel took a refresher course at UBC in Vancouver so she could get back to her nursing career. She joined the nursing staff at Queen Victoria Hospital where her passion centered around maternity. Many Revelstokians still remember her compassion, expertise, and the well-deserved nickname she acquired there ..."Mother Muriel". Her caring and energetic personality served her well in her career as a Nurse.
Retiring from QVH at age 65 Muriel decided to continue with nursing and ventured off to Florida for a year to work at a Pediatric Hospital.
When she returned to B.C. Muriel and her sister Lucille commenced studies at Cariboo College in Kamloops, working on a two-year tourism degree.
Muriel always had many extra activities and hobbies on the go including opening a retail fabric business with one of her daughters. She loved gardening and nature; with a special love for birds and flowers, fabric painting, sewing, quilting, embroidery, baking, and decorating, along with any other craft you can think of and spending quality time with her large extended family.
She filled every moment of her life with learning new things, creating, helping others, and having fun.
Muriel was predeceased by her husband Ralph, her parents and five siblings. She is survived by 3 siblings: Sid Parker, Gordon Parker, Lucille Stringer and her six children: Ralph Jr. (Deborah) Gallicano, Jim (Mary) Gallicano, Mona (Gord) Treber, Zoe (Stuart) Knuff, Scott (Dzidra) Gallicano and Grant Gallicano, 15 Grandchildren; and 16 Great Grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
(As Carol Burnett used to sing;) "I'm so glad we had this time together, just to have a laugh and sing a song... seems we just get started, and before you know it....comes the time we have to say, so long" ........
Then, as one graceful and eloquent glistening tear, peeked out below Muriel's left eye, her heart said a loving "so long", and our beautiful Angel became an angel on high.
Mother Muriel is now spreading her energetic and immense love all over this world.
Muriel's family, would like to thank Dr. Kate McCarroll, and all the caregivers and support staff at Mount Cartier Court and Moberly Manor for all the kindness and loving support our Mother received. The family is forever grateful and humbled by the endless love and strength, that Muriel received in their care.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to Muriel's family by viewing her obituary at: www.brandonbowersfuneralhome.com
Cremation arrangements are in the care of Brandon Bowers Funeral Home, Revelstoke.
Brandon Bowers Funeral Home