Jean Elsie Alward
March 17, 1931 – March 6, 2019
On March 6, 2019, at the Upper River Valley Hospital, Waterville, New Brunswick and following a brief illness, Jean Elsie Alward (Folkins) passed peacefully into the awaiting arms of her Lord and Saviour. Mom was born on March 17, 1931, in New Line Road, near Sus, NB. She was the eldest daughter of Ora and Clara (Goggins) Folkins. Following graduating from Sus High School, Mom attended business college and worked in offices in Moncton for 5 years. Feeling called into Nursing, Mom attended the Moncton Hospital School of Nursing, followed by Acadia University, taking Leadership Training.
Mom met Dad at Camp Wildwood, in McKees Mills, NB. In what would become a lifetime of love, their first date was spent in a row boat on the Bouctouche River (neither of them could swim), followed by going for banana splits. Mom and Dad dated for 7 years, many of them spent long distance, as Dad attended university and seminary in Massachusetts. Mom sustained their relationship through love letters in her beautiful cursive writing, an art that was important to her throughout her life.
Mom and Dad were married in Sus, NB on May 31, 1958. They spent their first 2 years in Beverly, Ma, as Dad finished his theology degree. Mom nursed at the local hospital and supported Dad in his studies. Mom and Dad had planned to serve on the mission field in India, but due to health concerns, God’s plan for them changed and they served together, for nearly five decades, pastoring in the Maritimes.
Throughout the years, Mom and Dad pastored at First North River, Glace Bay, Riverside-Albert, Nackawic, Florenceville, as well as doing interim work in Fredericton, Quispamsis, Keirsteadville and finally in Woodstock. Mom took an active role in their ministry, singing in choirs, teaching Sunday School, coordinating youth groups, drama clubs, Christian camping ministries and being an active member of WMS. Mom also nursed throughout most of her life. She especially felt called to work with the elderly at Central Carleton and Mill Cove Nursing Homes.
Mom’s true calling was as a mother, grandmother and recently great-grandmother. She provided life (and sometimes the threat of death) to David (Rhonda), Mark (Brenda), Stephen (Janette), Paul (June) and Rebecca (Jeff). Mom and Dad taught us how to love unconditionally; to support and encourage; to go after our dreams, whatever they were; and at times helped meld us when needed. Mom was fiercely loyal and proud of each of us.
Mom was especially proud of her grand-children and loved spending time and having pictures of each of them. She will be missed so much by Nathen, Jonathan (Shubhi), Bradley, Benjamin, Hannah, Mel, Phoebe, Alison and Jadon. She was especially proud three weeks ago to hold Rowan, her new great-grandson.
Mom and Dad have called Carleton Manor home for the past three years. Mom especially enjoyed reading about the Royals and meeting Prince Charles. She loved talking on the phone, reading, watching movies and colouring.
Mom leaves behind a sister Marilyn (Eldon), brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Grace, Reg, Arnold (Janice), Walter (Connie), as well as cousins, nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her parents, brother Bev and sister Donna.
Mom will be resting at Culberson Funeral Home, 188 Connell Street, Woodstock. Visitation hours will be from 4pm-8pm, Friday, March 8, 2019 and 11am-1pm Saturday March 9, 2019, with Funeral Service and Celebration of Life following immediately at 1pm. Pastor Craig Woodcock will be officiating. A reception will follow at the Woodstock Baptist Church. Spring interment will take place at the Woodstock Rural Cemetery, Woodstock, NB.
The family would like to thank all the team at Carleton Manor for the wonderful care Mom received over the past three years. We would like to also thank the physicians and nursing staff at the URVH who provided Mom and our family with incredible comfort and support in her final hours.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Green Hill Lake Camp, Woodstock Baptist Church Building Fund, or the Carleton Manor Foundation.
It is fit to close with Mom’s favorite hymn…Today “It is well with her soul”.
Arrangements with The Culberson Funeral Home 188 Connell Street, Woodstock, NB www.culbersonfuneralhome.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Jean Elsie Alward March 17 1931 March 6 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Woodstock, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick