Pierrette Rose Vidal Muir

Pierrette Rose Vidal Muir was known to most as "Pete," and later "Grandma Pete." In 1972, she was living in California when she separated from her husband, and packed her five kids into the family station wagon.

"With the wood-paneled siding, and drove five of us across the country to Winooski, Vermont, where her godmother lived," says Pete's daughter, Barbara McHenry. Winooski was as close as Pete could get to her native Montreal while staying in the states. She eventually settled in Burlington and worked as a secretary. Just about a year after settling in Vermont, she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. "And was told at the time that she had six months to live, and obviously beat that." McHenry says what her mother loved most was being supportive of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "Even 'til the end, she always wanted to make sure that someone had a birthday card or a birthday present, or a Christmas present. And giving was the biggest joy for her. "

Pierrette Rose Vidal Muir died in Burlington on Dec. 21, 2020. She was 91.

Barbara McHenry remembering mother Pierrette Rose Vidal Muir

Burlington, Vermont