Elizabeth Muriel Lewis Chepyha, 96, of Montreal, passed away on June 29, 2024. Muriel is predeceased by her husband Nick, her son Peter, her daughter-in-law Bozena, her grandson Brian, and her siblings Dan, Daffyd, and Nan. Muriel leaves behind her granddaughter Emma Voytek and her “grandson-in-law” Joseph Voytek as well as extended family and friends in Wales, Montreal, and Connecticut.

Born in London in 1928, Muriel was always a pillar of strength. She was raised by her grandmother in Wales after the loss of her birth mother when she was just a toddler and as a child survived the Blitz. In her 20s, Muriel immigrated to Canada, a country she knew little about, with her husband Nick to whom she was married for nearly 66 years. Muriel and Nick enjoyed many travels together and loved documenting their trips in detailed photo albums. 

Muriel was a great cook and will be remembered for her Welsh cakes, roast dinners, upside down cake, and more. Muriel was also incredibly skilled at knitting, embroidery, needlepoint, and cross stitch. Every year she made her grandchildren a knitted sweater of their choice—a cherished memory of their childhood.

Muriel completed crosswords and read every day until losing her vision in the last months of her life, a great loss to her as an avid bookworm. She loved the daily newspaper as much as tabloids and she was as interested in documentaries on current events as she was invested in her reality TV. While she was quick to remind you that she was “ancient, nearly 100!” as she faced the many complexities of aging, she met each obstacle with a lighthearted outlook and always found the humor in it all. Muriel was as loving as she was opinionated and her warm smile, fierce loyalty, and excellent sense of humor will be sorely missed.

Muriel’s granddaughter Emma is eternally indebted to her grandmother’s dear friend Frank—a man who is the epitome of selflessness, kindness, and generosity. Emma would also like to send her gratitude to Muriel’s loving friend Dominga who was like a daughter to Muriel as well as to Muriel’s caring neighbors Pascalina and Dominic, Hanna and Wojtek, and many others.

In accordance with Muriel’s wishes, a funeral service will not be held. In honor of Muriel, please raise a glass of wine (or juice!) with a side of milk chocolate: “To Muriel, nearly a hundred years of life well-lived; may we all be so lucky.”