BENT, Muriel Florence – 95, of Middleton passed away on Monday, November 3, 2025 in Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Middleton. Born in Forest Glade, Annapolis County, she was the thirteenth of fifteen children, born to the late Parker and Lily (Schofield) Bent. Muriel was a graduate of Macdonald Consolidated High School, Middleton, Saint John General Hospital School of Nursing, and State Certified Midwife from Elsie Inglis Memorial Maternity Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, from where she traveled to India in 1954, under the auspices of The Canadian Baptist Foreign Mission Board (now Canadian Baptist Ministries). Following two years of Telugu language study, Muriel spent the next several years as nurse, midwife, and Hospital Administrator in Sompeta and Serango, South India. During the later years of her service, she began a program of Community Health in the surrounding villages to Serango Christian Hospital with emphasis on immunization, nutrition and the installation of seal-trap latrines. Upon the refusal of her visa to return to India in 1974 and with the aid of an International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Canadian Government scholarship, she completed studies for Master of Tropical Community Health from the School of Tropical Medicine in Liverpool, England, following which she toured nearly 20 countries, in order to observe various program of Primary Health Care. Upon her return to Canada, Muriel was appointed by Canadian Baptist Ministries as their Medical Consultant, particularly in the area of Primary Health Care and Development. She retired from CBM in 1998. In 2007, Muriel received an honorary Doctorate of Ministry degree from Regent College, Vancouver in recognition of her years in Community Health and Development. Upon retirement, she returned to Middleton, NS where she was an active member of Middleton Baptist Church, serving, at various times, as Chair of the Board of Deacons, Small Group Bible Study leader, among others. She also served for many years on the Board of the Mid-Valley Palliative Care Society and was a member of Rosemary Chapter IODE. Along with her parents, Muriel was predeceased by sisters, Doris, Enid, Evelyn, Jean, Kath, Anna, and Phyllis; brothers, Murray, Roy, Alden, George, Forrest, and Gerald. She is survived by her sister, Marion, Portland, Maine along with many extended family members. Cremation has taken place, in accordance with Muriel's wishes. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 29 , in Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street 1-855-825-3448. Rev. Dr. Danny Smith officiating, with a reception to follow. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Middleton. Family flowers only. Donations in memory may be made to the Canadian Baptist Ministries, Middleton Baptist Church, or a charity of choice. Online guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com

** This service will be Live Streamed starting at 5 minutes to the hour.**