The funeral took place recently of Mrs. Muriel Tilney Slater, of Tenby, who passed away peacefully at Park House Court House Nursing Home Tenby, on July 16. She was 99.

A native of Yorkshire, Muriel, affectionately known as ‘gran,’was a loving wife to Jack Slater (1915-1996), mother to Pauline, mother-in-law to Peter, grandmother to Leanne, Louise, and Lindsey; step-grandmother to Lucy and Rhys and great-grandmother to Rebecca, Ben, Charlotte, Alex, Daniel, Grace, Jack and Frankie.

Muriel was born in Doncaster in February, 1916 to Lily and Harry Slater who owned the Burns Tavern. On leaving high school at 15, she was taken on as an apprentice hairdresser by her mother, who had then started her own salon. Muriel was always proud of the fact that she carried out the first ‘perm’ or Marcel wave in Doncaster.

She would have clients coming from far and wide to have their hair done by ‘Muriel.’

One of the highlights of her week over the last two years was Wednesday afternoon, when Ann came in to Park House, with her cheery smile, to do everyone’s hair.

Muriel lived through two World Wars. She married Jack Slater on March 25, 1940. They met as thespians and were in many musicals and productions together.

They both joined the war effort. He went to Belgium and France, whilst Muriel drove fire engines and fought fires during the blitz.

Her daughter, Pauline, was born in 1944 and has many wonderful memories of a very happy and loving childhood in Doncaster amongst Muriel and Jack’s large circle of friends.

The couple were great travellers, with exciting trips to all corners of the globe; including a trip to Zambia to visit Pauline and two trips to Australia for Muriel in her late 80s.

They were also keen caravaners. In the 1970s, they visited Amroth with friends and said they had found this ‘secret gem of a village, close to the sea - a little piece of heaven.’ Muriel often said that she could never have imagined she would spend her last 10 years here.

When she moved down to Amroth with her daughter, she was regularly seen in the local community, driving her motorised buggy to The Pirate for coffee, enjoying birthday parties at the New Inn and Sunday lunches at the Amroth Arms.

Her final two-and-a-half years were spent at Park House Court Nursing Home, Tenby. They have been happy and contented, with her special friend Helen - another lovely lady from Yorkshire.

Pauline, Peter and family cannot thank Park House staff enough for such dedication, care, patience and homeliness during this potentially unsettling period of her life. She really could not have been in a better place.

The funeral was held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth, on Thursday, July 23, and Pauline, Pete and the family have been overwhelmed by and very grateful for the wonderful support, both at the funeral and through cards and good wishes. All were overjoyed that Lindsey and Grace could travel from Australia to be with the family.

The family would like to thank E. C. Thomas and Son, funeral directors, in particular, Stewart and Elizabeth, for organising and leading a wonderful celebration of Muriel’s life, and The New Inn, Amroth, for a very warm welcome and wonderful spread - as always.

Donations in memory of Muriel can made to Macmillan Cancer Support, c/o E. C. Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg.