MERLE (ROUTLEDGE) MUTCH

Our dear mother, Merle, passed suddenly and unexpectedly on July 16, 2022, at home while watching a beautiful sunset from her balcony with loved ones. She had just pointed up to the sky and told her grandson that every night she looks at the North Star from her bedroom window and knows that one day, that is where she is going.

Mom was delivered at home, in the West End of Winnipeg, by a midwife on January 23, 1938. She was named Merle, which means blackbird. She graduated from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute, where she proudly received her maroon “Major M” for playing basketball, and where she met and later married her high school sweetheart, William (Frank) Routledge.

After completing her family, Mom eventually returned to the workforce in the early 1970s. She joined the RCMP “D” Division Telecoms, where she thrived in the challenges set before her, and where she made many life-long and treasured friendships. Widowed at a young age, Mom demonstrated great resilience and strength in continuing to raise her five children while dearly missing Frank. In 1981, Mom wed Loyde Mutch. Mom played an integral role with the Manitoba WCB Widows Action Group, resulting in the passing of a law that reinstated survivors’ benefits for spouses who married or remarried before April 1985.

Mom was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunty, great-aunty, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, friend, great cook, knitter, seamstress, and quilter, just to mention a few of her titles and talents. Many beautiful quilts were gifted to family over the years. Mom enjoyed watching curling and had played in the Crestview Ladies Curling League. She was quick with a pun or joke, loved to jive to good music with Frank, enjoyed settling in with a good book, crossword puzzle, or cryptoquote, and had a knack for creating beautiful gardens. She was quick to say hello and offer a friendly smile. Mom loved to hear about the adventures and accomplishments of her family and acquaintances. All three of her daughters were privileged to have Mom present during labour and delivery, to joyfully welcome some of her grandchildren into the world. Being together for family celebrations was important to Mom. She prepared many wonderful family dinners, topped off with delicious desserts!

Mom was predeceased by her parents Ethel and Ernest Chable; sisters Olive and Winnifred; husbands Frank Routledge and Loyde Mutch. Left to cherish memories of Mom are her children Kimberley Routledge-Blondal, Kevin Routledge (Cathy), Randall Routledge (Sheri), Susan Routledge (Gord), and Laura Stephansson (Darrell); grandchildren Michael (Alison), Thorsten, Kirsten (Christopher), Olivia (Scott), Erica (Serge), Michelle, Renée, Colin (Emilie), Benjamin (Jennifer), Meghan (Justin), Kyle (Natasha), and Jon Reid; great-grandchildren Ayla, Emery, Greysen, Zayne, Milo, Everlee, Broderick, Harlowe, and Emily; sisters Betty Hein (Edmund), and Phyllis Horn (Charles); nieces Janis, Linda, and Donna; nephew Bruce. Mom also had a special place in her heart for Mary-Ann (Routledge) Lewys, Suzanne Routledge, Ted Blondal, Marcus, Cedric, Max, Molly, Hayley, and Emma.

Mom’s celebration of life will be held at the Assiniboia Downs Terrace Dining Room, August 4, at 2:00 p.m. Those who wish to remember Mom in a special way may make donations in her memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, CancerCare Manitoba, or a charity of their choice.

Soaring Little Blackbird has reached her North Star. We love you Mom. 

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Merle's family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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