Muriel Grace Widdowson

Muriel Grace Widdowson (14 June 1892 – 3 August 1989) was a New Zealand nurse. She was the superintendent of various hospitals in North Canterbury from 1935 until her retirement in 1952. A year before her retirement, Widdowson was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire at the 1951 New Year Honours,

Early life and education Widdowson was born on 14 June 1892 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Her father, Howell Young Widdowson, was a solicitor in Christchurch and a member of Christchurch City Council; he had been unsuccessful in the 1881 and 1895 Christchurch mayoral elections. After moving with her family to Dunedin, she went to school at Braemar House and completed a three year nursing programme at Christchurch Hospital in 1921. Widdowson completed additional training at hospitals in Rangiora and Christchurch in 1927. Upon returning to Christchurch, she resumed working at Christchurch Hospital for multiple terms from 1926 to 1928.

Death Widdowson died on 3 August 1989.

Awards and honours In the 1951 New Year Honours, Widdowson was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.