Miriam Rose (Eggleston) Pratt – 1943 to 2020

Miriam was born in Edmonton, moved to Red Deer when she was 2 ½ years old.  She lived in the Balmoral district east of Red Deer on the original homestead of her grandfather, F. E. Piper who, with his father, established the Piper Brick Yard in the 1890’s.  Miriam attended Balmoral school, River Glen, and graduated from grade XII at Canadian Nazarene College in Red Deer.

Always interested in music, she began piano lessons with her mother, Edith Eggleston, at the age of four and became a pianist of her local church Sunday school at the age of 11.

Attended Canadian Nazarene College in Winnipeg, graduating from there with a Bachelor of Sacred Music in 1965 and received her Associateship with the Royal Conservatory of Toronto in 1966.  While at College, she was a member of the College Choir and of several singing groups.

Miriam returned to Red Deer in June of 1966 and began to teach piano, organ and theory, teaching at times more than forty pupils-a number of whom have become teachers and church musicians.

In February 1967, she began as organist with Eventide Funeral Chapel-a profession which she found personally rewarding in helping families in their time of need, and in which she served over 40 years.  Also devoting time to being an organist at St. Luke’s Anglican Church from 1992-1996.  She began as organist at Gaetz Memorial United Church in May, 1981 and was appointed Director of Music in February, 1990 with the added responsibility of directing the Sanctuary Choir.  A member of Red Deer Chamber Singers for several years and was the organist for four presentations of the ‘Messiah’ by the Red Deer College Choir.

When an evening course in decorating spurred her interest, she enrolled in Interior Decorating and Design Course resulting in the granting of an Honors Diploma in 1981.

Although she had no children of her own, the lives of children and teens were especially important to her-accompanied Red Deer Interschool Youth Choir from 1998-2003 and has accompanied choirs at Hunting Hills and Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High Schools since 1995 and 1997 respectively.

The ‘Buddy’ Program at Dawe Elementary School was very special to her.  Each week, adults meet students for an hour on a one to one basis to encourage good reading habits, and to form bonds of friendship with the children.  She marked her tenth year with this program.

When she found any spare time, painting and remodeling her home, decorating, flower arranging, dressmaking, gardening (especially flowers), handicrafts, GOLF, and having coffee with her friends!

She leaves to mourn her passing her loving husband, Doug, her brother David of Clive, a nephew David, his wife Erin, their children Katie, Mattie and Bo, of Stettler; niece Darci and daughter Annika, and many friends.

• Date : 2020-03-20
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home