Muriel Annette Parmeter

Muriel (Tottie) Parmeter, 86, of Missoula passed away at BeeHive Homes on January 29, 2022, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Tottie was born September 9, 1935, in Gillingham, County of Kent. Her childhood town was Cardiff, South Wales, although she remembered moving around Britain to escape World War II bombings, attending ten different schools before she was 11 years old. She has carried the memories of the blackouts, gas masks, air-raid shelters, the ominous whine of the air-raid sirens and the bombs blasting. Later she attended the Cardiff College of Art and Design, specializing in Illustration and Modern Embroidery, and graduated in 1957. She then took a teaching job at the Monmouthshire College of Art and Design, where she met and married her first husband, John Wright, who became a talented and successful artist. That union ended after 11 years. She met, and in July 1975, married her second husband Glenn Parmeter, a recently retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army. They then moved back to Glenn’s hometown, Missoula where they lived the rest of their lives. Glenn was a certified helicopter and multi-engine pilot, and flew charter flights and flight instruction, he died in 2005.

When Tottie arrived in Missoula she immediately became involved in the Arts world in Missoula, and from 1976-1988 worked with the Missoula County Museums, and later serving on the Art Museum Board and Missoula County Board of Trustees for Museums.

Tottie loved to entertain in her home with lots of gourmet eating, party games, singing, dancing and laughing. Her New Year’s Eve parties are well remembered by many. She also enjoyed symphonies and operas, she learned to like Lady Griz basketball (matches) as she called them. She never missed a Rafal Nadal tennis match. She watched them so intently no one was allowed so speak until a commercial. Tottie loved her cats and offered generous support for Animeals and the Humane Society.

She was a very talented fiber artist. Her work can be found in many homes around Missoula. Tottie was a reader for the blind on public radio. Her British accent was always a treat for those listening. Throughout her years in Missoula, she remained active with the Western Montana Military Office Association. She was a very spirited member of her P.E.O. chapter. No matter what organization she was involved with she gave it her full participation. Her joyous spirit and ready laugh will be remembered by all.

In the last 8 years she was accompanied by her much loved partner, Bob Eder. He had a quick wit and loved to make her laugh. He helped make the two years of Covid tolerable with daily visits and drives in and around Missoula. Tottie was always very sociable and missed seeing her friends during that time. In September she made a move to BeeHive Homes where she was treated with love and respect by staff.

She is survived by her partner Bob Eder; her trusted friend Connie Running; and her family in Britain; sister, Wendy; nieces Rhian and Nerys and their spouses Stuart and Steve; great nephews Alexander and Cameron; great niece Cerys; cousins Keith, John, Rosemary, Marion, and their families along with many friends. She was much loved and will be greatly missed.

Contributions can be made to Animeals or Missoula Art Museum.

A memorial service and reception will be held in the spring with final interment at the Western Montana Military Cemetery.