HomeMy WebLinkAbout1350Photcopy of an obituary for Mrs.W.C. Murkar taken from the Pickering News, dated January 28,
1955, page 1.Mrs. W.C. MurkarPickering lost one of its best loved women last Friday morning,
when Mrs. W. C. Murkar died at her home of a heart attack. The members of the community,
and many far beyond it, carry with them these days a deep sense of personal loss.Mrs. Murkar
was born a little more than 62 years ago in Vasey, near Midland, Ontario. Losing her mother
while still an infant, she grew up at Blackstock in the care of relatives. After her marriage, she
and Mr. Murkar lived for some years in Brantford. But since 1929, we have had her in Pickering.
She was a person of great intellegence and charm, and she brought to most situations an a
liveness that is rare. A conversation with her was always enjoyable, for she was able to touch
everything with a glint of humor, often shrewd and ironic humor, but never acid. Wit and
sympathy she kept always handy, and she used both generously. She had a great zest for life,
though she loved quietly; and the number of those who found in her a firm and wise friend is a
testimony to her gift of appreciating folk for what they are. Somehow she helped us to be
ourselves more often.She could have done a good job at very many things, but the taskes she
felt called her were in her home and her church, mainly. Her home was a real home, managed
with deep understanding, and full of affection. It never lacked in the things that really matter,
though they cost much in effort and dedication. Whether it was the tent pitched in summer at the
mouth of Duffin's Creek, and bulging with bathing-suited boys, or the house where more quietly
she presided over the table and made their friends feel welcome she gave to it a warmth and
graciousness all her own.One of the hard things for her, in the past few years of poor health, was
the having to withdraw from the wider church contacts which she had for many years in the
W.M.S. of the area, and from the choir where she had sung alto. Her sharing in the worship
and life of the local church and its women's groups continued. She was active also in the
Pickering Women's Club, and was a former member of the W.I. and the local Red Cross group.
She was a women of deep faith; not just a believer , but a disciple; not only a churchwoman, but
a Christian. She thought of others before she considered herself. The Bible beside her bed
was a worn one. Her quiet courage grew from its pages.If one may change one word of Milton's
lines, they might read;"Nothing is here for tears;Nothing to wail or knock the breast,No Weakness,
not contempt, dispraise, or blame;Nothing but well and fair, And what may quiet us in a life so
noble."Rev. A.E. Young.