Muriel Paulina Fleming passed away peacefully at McVean Lodge in Hanover on December 16th in her 90th year. She was born on April 19, 1931 on the family farm in Bentinck Township, one of four daughters of the late Fred and Edith (Mervyn) Schmidt.  

Muriel adored her parents and worked hard to help her Dad on their farm, including driving their team of draught horses.  By the age of 12, Muriel was optimistic that she could run a farm by herself.  
Muriel was an outstanding student and went on to become a teacher, graduating from Stratford Normal School in 1951.  She taught in the one room schools at SS#6 Normanby and SS#5 Bentinck.  
On October 22, 1953 Muriel married the love of her life, Harold Fleming, and they spent almost 60 adventurous years together until his death in 2012.  She was a tremendous support to Harold in running their construction business.  As a couple, they both served and led in their home church, Hanover Missionary Church, and other faith-based ministries.  Muriel was a generous person who shared produce from her large garden, blessed her family with many skillfully sewn creations, and loved hosting large family gatherings on the farm, where she would enthusiastically explain family genealogy.  

Muriel will be forever loved by her family:  Heather and John Bender, Carol and Peter van der Heide; her precious grandchildren, Jodie (Ava), Jessica (Justin), Esther (Robert), Anna, and Sarah van der Heide, Ethan (April) and Avryl Bender, and great grandsons, Cohen and Atticus Bender.  
She will be deeply missed by her sisters Glenna Kopp and Mavis (Norm) Smith, and her sister-in-law Betty Fleming.  Predeceased by sister Merla Hooper, sisters-in-law Anna (Jim) Stewart and Mary (George) Schenk, and brother-in-law John Fleming, and honourary brother Rex (Marj) Luckhart.  Fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews.  
Muriel was a deeply compassionate person who willingly gave her time and energy to support her husband, her family and others.  She almost never missed recitals, concerts or performances for all of her grandchildren.  Her pleasure in family holidays or trips to visit family and friends were documented in the albums of photographs she chronicled.  Her gracious nature and loving smile were a blessing, even as pain made life's journey increasingly difficult.  

With grateful hearts her family thanks the caring staff at McVean Lodge for the kindness and respectful way in which they tended to Muriel.  

Due to Covid, a private burial took place.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the Arthritis Society or the Hanover Missionary Church would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.  Messages of condolence can be shared with the family at the Mighton Funeral Home website, www.mightonfuneralhome.ca 

For those wishing to celebrate the life of Muriel, a video tribute slideshow and recording of the Private Graveside Funeral Service has been graciously shared by the family for friends and family to view.