Parcourez la nécrologie de Lesley Jean Fraser Armstrong June 18 1929 March 7 2025 95 Years Old résidant dans la province Nouveau-Brunswick pour le détail des funérailles
Lesley Armstrong Obituary
The family of Lesley Jean Armstrong wishes to announce her peaceful passing on March 7th, 2025.
Lesley was born on June 18th, 1929, to Murray Fraser and Freda (Sprague) and grew up in Rothesay, where she attended Rothesay Consolidated School, Saint John High, and later graduated from the Saint John Vocational School.
With a certification in Home Economics from the Teacher’s College at UNB, Lesley began her teaching career. Lesley was devoted to her students, and her style balanced academics with social skills. She led Home Economics at Sus High for many years and also hosted a private home Kindergarten, where she lovingly held a special graduation each year, complete with hand-sewn robes.
In the mid-1940s, Lesley was one of Saint John’s most promising young figure skaters but was stricken with polio. Despite partial paralysis on her left side, she was back on the ice within three months of leaving her hospital bed. With unwavering determination, she went on to capture the Saint John Championship in figure skating in 1949 and hold the Senior Ladies Champion title at the Saint John Skating Club for four consecutive years. Her talents earned her an invitation to perform alongside World Figure Skating champion Barbara Ann Scott and she continued her career pair skating with Rory Grant, all while taking the time to support other skaters who had been victims of polio.
Lesley married her loving husband Nigel in 1954, whom she met while playing recreational badminton. They welcomed daughters Nancy and Linda, and the family of four spent their time between home in Sus and their cottage in St. Martins. She later doted on her two granddaughters, Natasha and Jennifer, and the tight-knit family enjoyed many vacations together in Florida.
Lesley and Nigel were very active in their community, with Lesley volunteering her time for Meals on Wheels, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the March of Dimes. She was also an active member of the I.O.D.E for over 50 years and earned a lifetime membership pin. Entertaining was one of Lesley’s many talents and she very much enjoyed the company of close friends Diane & Joc, Diana & Rae, Shirley & Dick, Hennie & Ray, Flo & Doug, and Connie & Bob. She was best known for hosting Bridge games at her home and Lobster Boils on the beach in St. Martins.
Remaining committed to her passion for figure skating, Lesley founded the Sus Skating Club in 1956 and grew it to over 200 members. Over the decades, she coached countless skaters, produced, directed, and choreographed ice shows, and was instrumental in developing a precision skating program for New Brunswick. She was also active on a national level with the Canskate program, receiving many accolades over the years, including the Wittnauer Sport CFSA National Volunteer Award and the Elizabeth Swan Award.
As a jewel in the crown of her skating career, Lesley was inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in 1987 for her lifelong work in building the sport. Her commitment leaves a lasting legacy in recreational skating in New Brunswick.
Lesley is survived by her loving daughter, Linda Armstrong, and son-in-law, Bruce Huttges; her granddaughter, Natasha Parsons; and her nephews, Dwight, Murray, Andrew, Robert, Jamie, and John. She was predeceased by her devoted husband of 47 years, Nigel Armstrong; her daughter, Nancy Huttges; and her granddaughter, Jennifer Huttges. She was also predeceased by her siblings, Daryl Fraser (Lillian), Dorothy MacVey (Donald), and Fenwick Fraser (Kathy); as well as her nephew, Daryl, and nieces, Heather and Margaret.
The Armstrong and Huttges families will hold a Celebration of Life for Lesley in the summer of 2025. With joy, we will share remembrances and stories of 95 years of a life well-lived in her favorite place: overlooking the bay in beautiful St Martins.
In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating in Lesley’s memory to The Jennifer Huttges Memorial Bursary via the St Martins Chamber of Commerce.
June 18 1929 March 7 2025 95 Years Old
Décès pour la Ville Saint-John, Province Nouveau-Brunswick
avis deces Lesley Jean Fraser Armstrong June 18 1929 March 7 2025 95 Years Old
nécrologie Lesley Jean Fraser Armstrong June 18 1929 March 7 2025 95 Years Old
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Lesley Jean Fraser Armstrong June 18 1929 March 7 2025 95 Years Old et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.