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Mom was born in Hastings, ON and at an early age her mother was institutionalized in a nursing home. Mom, along with her now late brother Joe (Jean) Chapman and late sister Andre (Bill Hay) were placed in the care of extended family.
Not long after that Mom hitched a ride to Moncton, N.B. with her cousin Tom and Sidie Reid. Mom soon got a job at the CAF No. 5 Supply Depot in Moncton. She loved the job involving inventory management and was rising in the workforce until one day her supervisor called her into his office and said they were letting her go. A man wanted her job and he had a family.
Mom persevered and went on to work at various retail jobs on Main St. including Clogg’s Jewellers and Woolworth’s.
Every morning while standing at the bus stop waiting to go to work Mom noticed this tall baby-faced guy walking by. The problem was he never stopped to say hello. Mom vowed to her friends that if he did that again she was going to step up and hit him. As fate would have it, Ralph Black passed her by the next day without saying a word and Mom hit him. According to Dad, hit him hard. My brother Brian & I are very fortunate that Mom connected with that punch.
Both Mom & Dad were Blessed with a strong Faith their entire life. The problem now was how’s a good Catholic girl going to continue with this guy from St. John’s United. They decided to join St. George’s Anglican Church and were married there on Oct. 23rd, 1954. Mom & Dad left St. George’s for a while to help establish the new St. Phillip’s Anglican Church. However, they found their way back to St. George’s and remained strong supporters of Rev. Chris VanBuskirk.
Mom loved to play bridge and did so for many years. As a young boy, I was amazed at how these ladies could multitask playing cards while at the same time solving all the world’s problems.
Mom was also a lifetime member of The Sir Charles G.D. Robert’s Chapter of the I.O.D.E. For a number of years our family was ‘volunteered’ to help with the setup of the annual Y.W.C.A. Quilt Fair. I couldn’t help but notice that the husbands were particularly focused on doing exactly as they were told. I remember one time telling Ralph Belyea that if he didn’t like how that quilt was displayed, he should say so. I remember him looking at me wide-eyed in response while slowly shaking his head no.
Mom also was a long-time member of the Moncton Hospital Auxiliary and frequently volunteered at the Pantry Plus in the Medical Arts Building next to the hospital. All the staff working in both buildings would be frequently advised as to how healthy their choices were for breaks and lunch. Mom would always admonish Dr. Sheldon Ruben for his choices and the response was always, “Yes dear, I’ll get that salad the next time”.
However, Mom’s major focus was caring for the firm of Ralph, Brian & David. At this Mom excelled and we were truly Blessed.
Mom passed away Jan. 14th, 2022, while on the 5100 Unit of The Moncton Hospital. Brian & I both spent as much time as we possibly could visiting there and are eternally grateful for the great care, empathy and humour all of the staff provided us under some extremely difficult conditions. On that fateful day there was an impending snowstorm bearing down on Moncton. Mom was able to find Peace late that afternoon while at the same time providing enough time for both her boys to get safely back home. Until the end, always a Mom.
Due to the difficult times we’re now all facing there’ll be no visitation or funeral service. Interment will be at Grey’s Island Cemetery, in Hillsborough, NB at a later date.
Donations may be made to the Memorial Fund – St. George’s Anglican Church located at 51 Church St. Moncton, NB E1C 4Z3 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of
Passage Funeral Cooperative and Cremation Center
625 Mountain Road, Moncton, NB E1C 2P1 – (506) 855-1145
www.funerairepassagefuneral.ca
Very nice words and description of your Mom and family David , my sincere condolences to you and yours … you took very good care of your Mom and gave her all she needed and more I am sure she was grateful for it all ..now you need to take care of yourself ..
I am so sorry for your loss David, my thoughts are with you and your family. There are no words that will help or heal the pain you are feeling. The loss of a mother is so devastating.
It was great meeting you and your family when we moved to St Georges. Sending sincere condolences to you and yours
from Bernice and Linus Coady
It was great meeting you and all your family when we moved to St Georges. sending sincere condolence to you and family
David I was sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. Sounds like she had a full life and a love of family. I will keep you and your brother in my prayers. Hugs Dianne
I am so sorry. This is a beautiful obit. We will talk soon. Take care
So lovely to hear more if your lively mom’s story. What wonderful memories you can treasure. May God grant you pease at this time of grief.
David, I’m so sorry for your loss. From your obituary for her I learned she interests in quilting, as did my late wife. I’m looking forward to talking to you about that.
Lovely memories of your Mom,Ed and I always sat in front of Irene at the 8am service and she would insist we leave before her..age before beauty she would say with a twinkle in her eye..Keeping you and Brian in our prayers..Ed and Marilyn Rice
David : A lovely tribute to your Mom well said on the important things of life Know that even though the difficult times we are all having to share our thoughts are with you and Brian as you are called to walk this road . Mother is at peace and not struggling with worst life this world is bring upon us now . Especially with the struggles she has had to endure for the last two years. Fondly Mae
Oh my gosh-you nailed your Mom’s obit with the love and humour you all enjoyed in your family. When I was home, I would walk to town with our moms. They were ALL business. I used to say that if some poor soul was laying on the sidewalk in front of them, they’d slow a bit and tell them they’d help em on their way home. They were such regulars at the Tim Hirtons on Main they never had to stand in line. They’d walk in and two coffees with one biscuit split in two on two different plates would be served to the side counter. So many stories of our moms together. Will miss your mom, David.
The Martin Family remembers your Mother well. She was quite a personality. Loved your writing about her life and accomplishments. ( I also remember Ralph Belyea )
Our love and sympathy to you and the Family.
Sorry to hear about your Mom but she lived a long and active life. She was an original member of our bridge club and so many hav Oe passed away. We have many wonderful memories of past years, Boxing Day parties with friends and families were a highlight. You took such good care of her David, you stayed with her until the end. Our sincere condolences.
Brian, David,
So sorry to hear about your mom… a gracious host, always interested in people, a welcoming personality and warm smile. She was a rock in the family and hosted some wonderful gatherings with your dad over the years. I’m sure they’re ‘upstairs’ together planning the next event. Thinking of you at this very sad and challenging time.
David and Brian
I was sorry to read of your mother’s passing.
She was a wonderful lady and lived a full life.
I am sure she left you both with a lot of great memories.
Susan Hicks
To David and Brian.A very nice tribute to a great Lady. She was a force to be dealt with. I met her in 1981 when I had a full beard. She looked at me and said you probably look good under that beard. When I met her latter in the year without the beard and just a goatee she said it was a great improvement. lol. I always enjoyed my chats with her and Ralph. I still pop into Greys island and chat with Ralph in the summer. I miss him a lot. Im retired now so my work email is no longer valid. Take care guys. John
Sorry for your loss, David & Brian. Fond memories of late-night bridge games with Irene & Ralph.
Sending sincerest condolences to you both, David and Brian, on the passing of your lovely mother.
Hi, Brian and David
Sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I have fond memories of our annual office Christmas gatherings at your house – Ralph and Irene were terrific hosts. Thank you for your well written memories of your Mom. Richard & Susan
I was very saddened to hear of your mother’s passing David. I have such fond memories of your mother while attending church or at the Homestead Restaurant after the early morning service. Your description of your mother was so well done David. You did a wonderful job looking after her after your father passed. Irene lived a wonderful life and is now back with your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Brian at this difficult time.
Sorry for you loss David and family, My deepest condolences
David and Brian- I was so sorry it hear of your Mom’s passing. I know she was a great lady and well loved, besides being a wonderful Mom and so kind and community minded.. She and your Dad were so attentive and helpful to my parents, Roberta and Elwyn Wilson, and I could never express how grateful I will always be to them, especially when my Dad was alone for several years. Living so far away, we could not be there as often as we wanted to. My sympathy and love go out to you both, and I am remembering you in my prayers.
David and Brian – I was so sad to hear of your Mom’s passing. I know she was a vey kind lady and loved by her friends and family. She was a also a great community and church worker. I could never express how much I appreciate the time and loving care they gave to my parents, Roberta and Elwyn Wilson. Living so far away we could not get to visit them as often as we would have liked, but your Mom and Dad were always there. My sympathy, prayers and love are with you both.
David and Brian – I was so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing and want you to know that my sympathies and prayers are with you both.
I was so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Please accept my prayers, sympathy and love at this. Time.
I send my sincere sympathy to David & Brian. I held tremendous respect for your mom and dad.
The obituary you wrote for your mom is a lovely story; it made me smile. The photo you chose of your mom is beautiful – she certainly had a contagious smile, and the photo captures it nicely.
Regardless of their age, regardless of our age, when our parents die it is VERY sad. I’m sorry for your loss.
My sincere condolences,
Cathy Connors Kennedy (Fredericton)
Brian & David,
Sorry for your loss of a loving Mom who in partnership with your wonderful Dad, filled your home with love & laughter. They were great friends of my parents & I love hearing stories from the “good old days”. You took wonderful care of your Mom through extremely difficult times & your dad would be proud.
Sincere sympathies during this difficult time, John & Nancy (Kelly) Brown
Sending you our sincere condolences at this sad time. Your mom and dad were such a lovely couple and faithful St. George’s parishioners, always helping out where possible. It was at your father’s urging that our son, Mark, became a warden while still in his 20’s. When I would see your mom, we always had to compare notes about our flowers. You took wonderful care of your mom after Ralph passed. He would have been very thankful for that. Now that Irene’s suffering is over, they can rest in peace together, something you can take great comfort in.
With our sympathy and prayers, Helen and John Staples