Anna Gertrude Boyle
1927-2019
It is with tremendous sadness that the family of Anna
Gertrude (Graham) Boyle announces her passing which occurred January
22, 2019 at SJRH following a brief illness and « when her work on
this earth was finally finished ». It is with boundless joy that
we offer this all too brief picture of a life of tremendous
accomplishments – well lived.
Born on May 28, 1927 at Graham Brook Farm in Lakewood N.B.
(Now part of Saint John) she was predeceased by her parents S.Ernest
and Elizabeth H. « Bessie » (Johnston) Graham; her husband, F.
Dennis Boyle; her sister, Audrey (Graham) Matthieu; and her Brothers
in Law: James Boyle, Andrew Hamilton, Alcide Matthieu, and Ross
Harris. Anna is survived by her sister, Mary Harris. Anna was the
proud mother of twelve, as exemplified by her licence plate
12XAMOM. She is survived by her five daughters: Kathleen
(Paul McIlveen), Anna Denise « Neno » (Jack MacMillan), Mary
Pat (Bruce Martin), Helen (Richard Boyd), Mona, and her seven sons:
Dennis (Patricia Kingston), John, Owen (Jennifer Delay), Patrick,
Michael (Elizabeth Mallette), Christopher, Daniel, her Brothers in
Law: Jack Boyle (Alice Wienand), Patrick Boyle (Ann McMullin),
and her Sister in Law, Helen (Boyle) Hamilton. She is
survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. Anna was the proud
grandmother of Natalie (Tyler MacLennan), Kathleen (Brendan
Johnstone), Michael, Maria, Jacqueline MacMillan, Elizabeth MacMillan,
Christopher MacMillan, Gregor Martin , Blaise Boyd, Fiona Boyd,
Dennis, Seamus, Christine, Brendan, Kathryn Anna, Mary Frances,
Patrick, Jack, Owen, Gregory, Francis, Molly, and 1 great grandchild,
Parker Johnstone.
Anna grew up in Lakewood at Graham Brook Farm and attended
Lakewood School, Saint John High School from where she graduated in
1944, following which she graduated from Provincial Normal School
(Fredericton) in 1945. Anna taught school on Patridge Island and
Rothesay, Princess Ann and Prince Charles Schools. She left
« school » teaching to become a full time « stay at
home » mother but remained a « teacher » throughout her
life.
Being devoted to the ideals of education and the ongoing
development of the mind she remained a lifelong learner and teacher,
she could not resist « the teachable moment ». Anna continued
to enroll in courses at UNBSJ well into her eighties – as an
octogenarian
Anna loved much – She loved her family, she loved
life (particularly new life) and recently proudly received the news
that two more great grandchildren are scheduled to arrive later this
year, she loved Nature – excluding snakes, Art, Literature,
Writing (Letters to friends and articles for the newspaper), History,
Geography, Storytelling, Mathematics « it just makes so much
sense », good Penmanship, and Red Hair.
Anna was a tireless advocate and spokesperson for
« special needs persons », having worked with many groups and
committees over the years. During her lifetime she received many
awards and recognitions among which was the Bishop Dollard Medal. She
seems to have accomplished so much in only 91 years.
Anna’s family extends sincere and abundant thanks
to the kind and compassionate care she received during the final days
of her life from Dr. Les Allaby; and at the SJRH in particular from
the Nursing Staff on 4AN and Dr. John Desmond, Dr. Vance Anderson, and
Dr. Adam Hoirch.
Arrangements are under the care of
Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111
Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424) with visiting on Friday, Janaury
25th from 2:00 – 8:00 PM. A Mass of
Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January
26th at 10 am from Our Lady of the Assumption
Church, 360 Dufferin Row, Saint John. In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made to Cantena Jobs Plus Skills and Development
Center– where Anna’s « special kids »
attend. Online condolences may be placed at
www.BrenansFH.com.
www.BrenansFH.com
Click here to View Condolences
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Anna Gertrude Boyle 19272019..
Décès pour la Ville: Kennebecasis-Valley, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick