Edith Muriel Cheriton, 1924-2016
My mother, Muriel Cheriton, passed away last night in Edmonton at the age of 92. She was at home with my father and died peacefully after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease.
Born in Edmonton, she was the only daughter of two school teachers who emigrated from England. Instead of following her parents’ careers, a twist of fate allowed her to be one of the first female engineering graduates from the University of Alberta. She and my father opened an engineering firm in Edmonton in the 1960’s.
Muriel was active in professional, civic and consumer groups, often being a role model to encourage young women to pursue scientific careers. She and Ross traveled extensively, both to far off international destinations and nearby sites of beauty within Alberta.
Never one to remain idle, Muriel spent summers sailing on Lake Wabumun, took trail rides in the Rockies, hosted Japanese students, realized her dream of playing in a bell choir, and enjoyed opera, theater and local symphony.
In 1990, the City of Edmonton recognized Muriel’s contributions to the City by naming a street after her in southwest Edmonton. Cheriton Crescent is located south of Rabbit Hill Road and east of Terwillegar Road.
My mother is survived by her husband Ross, six children, eighteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, soon to be four.
