MURIEL AYLEN

1916 - 2017

A woman of extraordinary charm and wit, Muriel Whitefield Aylen was born in London, England in 1916. She was the daughter of Margaret Ester Cinnamon and James Whitefield, Eastern European Jewish émigrés who founded the successful British chocolate company, Jamesons. The youngest of six children, Muriel maintained her playful and spirited nature throughout her long and interesting life.

She was educated at the prestigious English boarding school, Roedean (where she excelled at music and sports), and attended finishing school in Paris. While visiting her sister Dora in Toronto, she met her future husband, Peter Aylen, a CBC radio manager. The two wed in 1938 at the home of Dora and Hugh Eayrs and settled in Vancouver. Their only child, Peter Jr., was born in 1940. Her husband's career in the United Nations Broadcasting Service took them to postings in New York, Jamaica, Ethiopia and Thailand. They loved their years abroad and the many fascinating stories and adventures they provided.

Upon their return to Canada in the 1970s they settled into a comfortable retirement in Sidney, B.C. and enjoyed sailing and golf. Muriel developed her significant skills as a talented weaver and knitter. She adored her dogs and had a succession of enormously spoiled and beloved pets. Muriel kept her remarkably lively and inquisitive mind strong throughout her entire life with reading, crosswords and opinionated debates on current affairs. She died peacefully on July 26, 2017 at the age of 101. Predeceased by her husband Peter in 1990, she is survived by her devoted son Peter Jr., three generations of nieces and nephews and many dedicated friends.

A memorial will be held Monday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. at First Memorial,

1155 Fort St., Victoria, B.C.