Obituary of Muriel Joan Cromwell

It is with broken hearts we inform you of the sudden death of our mother, Muriel Joan Cromwell of Petitcodiac, which occurred on Monday, December 19, 2022 at the Sussex Health Centre. She was Born in Moncton, NB on October 14, 1931, a daughter of the late Cecil Horsman and Georgina (Mullins) Horsman.

At the age of 16 Mom went to work at Marven’s Biscuit factory in Moncton, and later in the forty’s Mom and Dad’s paths crossed in Moncton, she was taken by his blue eyes and elegant stories that only a return veteran could spin. On, Oct 14, 1950 on Mom’s 19^th Birthday they were married, moving to Havelock area with Alison and Fanny Taylor, Dad and Alison, went to the cement plant to work on construction, Fanny taught school, and Mom looked after their children making a live long bond with them. 1951 Dad and Henry McCordick went to Niagara Falls to be high level steel workers he would drive home for short visits and back again and later in the year came home packed her up and back to Niagara Falls into an apartment of their own. In Nov. 53 Dad drove Mum to Moncton where she stayed with her parents while waiting for the birth of Brian, then after Christmas back to Niagara Falls. In 54 the draw of home tugged at their heart’s to be closer to friends and family. Dad continued to do steel work on the Coles Island Bridges, Saint John Bridge, Shediac Bride and the Gunningsville Bridge. When not on a bridge job Mum & Dad were working in the woods, and most days beside getting the meals in a log camp and out door facilities she yarded more logs than the men (a far cry from the city living running hot water and indoor plumbing) Dad was always adding to the old farm.

Through the fifties the house was busy for Mum to look after with Dads brothers or friends Stan & Arnold Wood and o course Henry who became a part of the family in 54 when they made their last trip from Niagara Falls. Then Brian, Richard & Debbie once big enough were always bring someone home to say some for months so she was a second Mum to a lot kids even though in the 60’s Mum went to work in Black’s takeout and then later in Black’s Restaurant & takeout, there were always extra people staying and getting the love of our Mum.

Eventually they decided they should do some travelling, they made several trips to the Eastern Seaboard states and looked forward to going to Cape Breton and Newfoundland, but the highlight for Mum was to be able to make 2 trips to Fiji and Australia to visit family, she was no fan of the bugs and snakes but enjoyed holding a Koala Bear & the scenery. When Dad died in Dec. 2004, Mum never missed a beat, the farm had been sold and she moved to the apartment previously secured in a Senior complex in Petitcodiac.  It soon became apparent even though she missed Dad, she would be busy with Church and ladies groups in her new home church. So the joke was if you wanted to visit her maybe you should make and appointment. Mum continued to drive until this past June and passed 2 driving tests that had been requested by Service NB, when they requested another test this July Mum said no and her driving days were over. The family filled in to help make sure she was never stranded but her neighbours in the apartment complex made every effort to take her to Church and the restaurant brunch afterwards, true friends in a community she loved and enjoyed living in. Brian & Richard realize their sister, Nurse Debbie was a big part of Mum be able to live in her own apartment right to the end.

She is survived by her sons: Brian L. Cromwell (Margo Adair), Richard Cromwell (Debbie); daughter Deborah (Gerry) Prosser; Brenda (KB) Doreen who was adopted by Mum’s sister Hilda; also survived by 6 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren; brother Willard (Elsie) Horsman; sister-in-law, Anne Belle Beck. Besides her husband Arthur L. Cromwell, she was also predeceased by her brothers: Donald, Raymond, Frederic; sisters: Hilda Lutes, Gladys Arsenault and Erma Hicks.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex 506-433-1176 from where visitation will be held on Thursday December 22, 2022 from 4-7PM.  A Celebration of Life Service will be at Petitcodiac Baptist Church on Friday, December 23, 2022, at 12:00 PM with Rev. David Woodworth officiating. the interment will  be immediately following the service at Canaan Forks Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Canaan Forks Cemetery or charity of donor’s choice.  Condolences to the family and donations may be made through WallaceFuneralHome.com

Brian, Richard & Debbie want to express our sincere gratitude to the excellent Doctors, Nurses and Staff of the Sussex Health Centre ER, which were her Doctors, as like to many others she had no family Doctor.