Muriel Lorne McKinlay was born on December 23, 1920 to Alexander Nichol McKinlay and Mary Louisa Judd. Muriel had two brothers: Angus Franklin (b. 1922) and Douglas Alexander (b. 1928). She noted in a booklet, that she had a happy childhood - in those days small things pleased kids, like 5 cents on Saturday to spend as they wished.
Muriel took Home Economics at Eglington School where she had a Miss McClellan for a teacher. She loved cooking and sewing and did her best for Miss McClellan. She had many happy hours sewing. She liked cooking and very often on Saturdays her mother would let her bake. She made many misses and her Mom always cleaned up. Muriel noted that in later life she wasn't nearly so messy as she had to clean up after herself.
Her clothes were made by her mother often out of material from a coat or dress one of the aunts gave her. She had lovely hand knitted sweaters that her aunts (Aunt Edna and Aunt Lyla) kept her in. She went to C.G.I.T., Girl Guides at Yorkminster Baptist Church and Girl Guide Camp at Lake Simcoe. She attended Hodgson School on Davisville Avenue in Toronto along with her siblings, Frank and Doug. She also attended Northern Vocational School.
Muriel met Donald Robertson at the Canadian National Exhibition. When it was announced at the exhibition that the Second World War broke out, the city of Toronto came to a standstill including the subway system. Muriel found a ride home with a friend she knew and the friend also gave Donald a ride home.
Muriel married Donald Ross Robertson in Hamilton, Ontario on January 8, 1941. They had three children:
Rosemary Louise Robertson, b. June 27, 1941
Glen Alexander Robertson, b. October 4, 1944
John David Robertson, b. May 3, 1959
Muriel had 5 grandchildren:
Linda Louise Bettiol (March 29, 1963)
Leslie Ann Bettiol (November 1, 1964)
Leanne Marie Bettiol (July 6, 1971)
Evan Robertson (February 18, 2009)
Ella Robertson (February 18, 2009)
She also had 6 great grandchildren.
Owen Dahm (May 4, 1994)
Leah Dahm (October 2, 1995)
Nathan Dahm (September 24, 1997)
Robert Bettiol (May 19, 1985)
Jordyn Hamilton (November 7, 2001)
Rocco Hamilton (August 14, 2003)
At the time of her death she was expecting her first great, great, grandson from Rob and Lindsey Bettiol in Sherwood Park, Alberta. (b. May 29, 2018, Bennett August Bettiol)
Muriel was a loving mother and grandmother. She was a good housekeeper, a great cook and an all round good person.
Muriel and Donald Robertson were divorced on April 15, 1977. At the time of the divorce, Muriel lived in Sidney, BC with 14 year old John. Shortly after the divorce, she took on a job with Robinson Stores working in the fabric department. Later, she purchased a house with brother Frank who had retired, so Muriel, Frank and John lived together.
Muriel died on January 30, 2018 at Mount Tolmie Hospital in Victoria, B.C. at the age of 97 with her three children by her side. Her ashes will be buried with her mother, father and brother Frank in the United Church Cemetery in Newburg, Ontario.
