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Leilani MUIR Obituary
1944 – 2016
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Leilani Marietta Muir (O'Malley) at her home in Devon, Alberta, on March 14, 2016. She is survived by her beloved dog Peggy Sue, and her friends and family. She had no children.
As a child, Leilani lived at the Provincial Training School for Mental Defectives (PTS) in Red Deer after years of abuse from her mother. Despite many traumatic early experiences, she grew to become an extraordinary person who made a significant contribution to human rights in Alberta.
In 1995 she won a lawsuit against the Alberta government for wrongful sterilization while at the PTS. Her case opened the door to class action lawsuits for many other sterilization survivors.
She kept her story alive in film, public speaking engagements and her 2014 book A Whisper Past: Childless After Eugenic Sterilization in Alberta. As part of the Living Archives on Eugenics in Western Canada project, she worked to collect data on the province's eugenic history. She was designated a "Game Changer" by CBC's The Current program and was the focus of the 1996 NFB documentary The Sterilization of Leilani Muir, and the 2012 play The Invisible Child. Leilani knew the power of her personal story, but suffered each time she told it, a price she paid for the betterment of future generations.
Leilani was the living embodiment of kindness. She was deeply committed to the safety of children and animals. Despite the terrible treatment she received from her mother, she was able to forgive and see how her mother too had been shaped by adversity. In doing so, Leilani remained true to her own heart.
A Celebration of Leilani's Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, 206 at Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home, 10011–114 Street, Edmonton, with Father James Holland officiating. In lieu of flowers it is asked that attendees honour Leilani's life work to end bullying and abuse by wearing something pink.
To send condolences, please visit: www.connelly-mckinley.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
12 Entries
Terri
April 2, 2019
I will always miss you Auntie, love you xo
April 6, 2017
Leilani was an amazing woman who didn't let her past get her down. Leilani was an inspiration to us all.
Ruth Maria Adria
April 20, 2016
An incredible lady who was an overcomer, an example to us all.
Laurie Winder
April 14, 2016
It is an honor to have known this lady! She was an exceptional human being that lead her life with courage,grace and dignity. I was always awestruck by her ability to embrace people and life despite her tremendous challenges. She not overcame these personal challenges but then stretched out her hand to help others.She shed light on some of the darkest pieces of our history, despite the heartache it caused her. I will truly miss her and forever be inspired by her!
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Marjorie Thompson
April 14, 2016
May your light always shine on Leilani. You are a shining example of what it is to stand up for self-advocates.
Sue Panteluk
April 9, 2016
I met Leilani many times in Devon and she was pleasant, helpful and incredibly positive. She will always be remembered for her commitment to others. She will be missed.
Susan Schweik
April 9, 2016
Leilani, the line in your obituary about you being a living embodiment of kindness speaks to me. You were very kind to me when we met. Thank you for that model of what it means to be a truly compassionate human being, for your bravery and truth-telling and for the change you produced in the world. I will be remembering you.
Dawne Taylor
April 9, 2016
I have never met Leilani but wanted to offer my condolences to her friends, and express my appreciation for her activism to ensure the rights of the disadvantaged are protected. Society is indebted to her.
Terri Drynan, Niece
April 8, 2016
Auntie, you are such an inspiration and truly a legend. You will be missed immensely. Even though you were not able to have children of your own, you treated all your nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, as if we were yours. You always spoiled us and gave us so much love! I love YOU!
Wes Cardwell
April 8, 2016
You will be greatly missed Auntie and are an inspiration to everyone.
Kate Jirik
April 8, 2016
It was my great honor to meet Leilani last spring in Banff. We shared a lot over the meals and at the workshop.
Velvet Martin
April 8, 2016
Dear Leilani,
I feel tremendously blessed to have known you, to listen to you speak and share memories - those which were painful, others comical (mister Klein). To have witnessed intense looks of incredulous sorrow on the faces of youth learning firsthand dark history is priceless; knowing each will carry that story forward so that tragedy might never ever repeat. You offered immense wisdom graciously, honestly, selflessly. Thank you for your gifts of love.
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10011-114 Street, Edmonton, AB T5K 1R5
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