Richer, Muriel Elizabeth Della (née Bastien)

With quiet strength, grace, and deep devotion to her family, Muriel passed away surrounded by love at Nipissing Serenity Hospice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the age of 76.

Muriel was the beloved and devoted wife of Michael Richer for nearly 57 years. Their love story began in 1967, when, at just 17 years old, Muriel moved to Haileybury, Ontario, to train as a nurse under the guidance of the Sisters of Mercy at Misericordia Hospital. It was there she met Michael, who was working as a hospital orderly. They married in 1969, beginning a lifelong partnership grounded in love, respect, a little chaos, and shared purpose.

Together they built a beautiful life and family. Muriel was the devoted mother to Jean Porter (Michael), Chastity Saudino (Matthew), and Sheri Richer-Claeys (Brian). She was a proud and loving grandmother to Makaela (Joseph), Ethan, and Haydn Porter; Anthony Saudino (Phoebe); and Annastasia and Sebastien Richer-Claeys, all of whom lovingly called her “Mamère” or “Maemae.” Her grandchildren were her greatest joy.

In the early 1970s, Muriel and Michael returned to the North Bay area, where she began her nursing career at St. Joseph’s Hospital. As their family grew, Muriel stepped back from her profession to dedicate herself fully to raising her daughters in the family’s cherished log home  they built together on Mountain View Road in the Phelps community, a home that has remained the heart of family life for decades.

When her children were older, Muriel returned to nursing with renewed passion, building a diverse and fulfilling career. She worked across hospital settings, long-term care, public health, and the Victorian Order of Nurses before ultimately establishing her own travelling nursing foot care business. Muriel was a compassionate and dedicated nurse who cared deeply for her patients, always going the extra mile to ensure their comfort and dignity.

Nurturing by nature and deeply rooted in her community, where her family were among the founding members, Muriel was an active and proud member of Phelps. She shared her generous spirit through many activities alongside her daughters, including Guiding, volunteering at the local library, the PCRC, schools, church, and community gardens. In later years, she found great joy as a Therapeutic Touch Practitioner, and in quieter pleasures such as book club, and seniors’ yoga at the Golden Age Club.

Muriel was a faithful member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish and deeply valued the spiritual guidance and support she received over the years from Father Daniele Muscolino and CWL member and friend Carol Miller.

She will be dearly missed by her sister Gail Johnston (Dave), as well as many nieces, nephews, friends, and her extended family on Michael’s side, all of whom she held close to her heart. She will also be deeply missed by her beloved fur companion, Copper. Muriel was predeceased by her parents Audrey and Phillip Bastien and her siblings Margaret, Phyllis, Reginald, Beatrice, Effie, and Gloria.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name of Jesus Parish (895 Memorial Drive, North Bay) on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Martyn Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Nipissing Serenity Hospice would be gratefully acknowledged as expressions of sympathy. Online condolences may be offered at www.martynfh.com.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7