On November 13, 2011, Muriel E. Newton-White died at Extendicare Nursing Home in Haileybury. She was born January 21, 1928, in Robillard Township to Ernest Newton-White and Gladys (nee Attwater). Ms. Newton-White was an artist, author, poet and calligrapher who received instruction through the Ontario College of Art. She led a simple life and was a humble person with a great faith in God.
The author of the Highway Book Shop’s best seller – Backhouses of the North – she was also the author of many children’s books and illustrated her own books and those of many other authors. Ms. Newton-White was an associate of the Sisters of St. John the Divine and in 1997 received an Honourary Degree as Doctorate of Canon Law from Thornloe College of Laurentian University. She was a member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Haileybury.
In 2011 she was inducted into the Poetry Hall of Fame in Cobalt. Her books and paintings are spread throughout the world. She is survived by her brother and best friend Ralph and his daughter Anne Flanagan and family in Victoria, British Columbia; cousins Andrew, John, Mike and Cathie Attwater, John, Keith, Doug, Brian and Bob MacPherson, Janet Hart and Karen McCarty, Jim and Tom Reavell and Judi Reavell-Roy, Peggy Reavell, Fraser Reavell and Liz Duke-England. She was predeceased by her parents Gladys and Ernest, sister-in-law Gussie Newton-White, cousins David Attwater, Patsie MacPherson, Fraser Reavell and Keith Reavell.
The funeral was arranged by McDonald Funeral Home in Englehart with the service conducted at St. Paul’s Anglican Church on November 17. The Venerable Linda White, assisted by Val Paterson and Kate Scott, conducted the service. The organist was Betty Brazill. Pallbearers were Andrew Attwater, Jim Reavell, Brian MacPherson and Bob MacPherson. Burial is at the family plot in Charlton. Relatives and friends attending the service from out of town came from Aurora, Brampton, Bowmanville, Campbellford, Zephyr, Timmins, Sesekinika, Englehart, Charlton, North Bay and California.
In memory contributions to the Northern Lights Parish or Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund, through St. Paul’s Anglican Church, would be appreciated by the family.
Reprinted with the permission of McDonald Funeral Home