Obituary
It is with heavy hearts, but with appreciation for a lifetime of memories and laughter, that the family of Anne Marie Breen (nee Johanna Maria Mulder) announces her passing on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born in Deventer, Netherlands on November 25, 1945 to parents Johannes Herdrikus and Everdina Antonia (BoerKamp) Mulder with brothers John, Tony, Bill, Jos, Nick, Ted and Gerry. In January 1955, at the age of 10, Anne Marie immigrated to Canada, with the family settling in Maugerville, New Brunswick.
Deeply religious and spiritual, Anne-Marie explored the Catholic convent before enrolling at St Thomas University where she graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Whilst in university, she met and married her soulmate, the late Douglas Breen and so beginning over 50 years of love and companionship. To say that Anne Marie was a devoted mother to their 2 children, Aaron Breen and Lia (Breen) Smith, is an understatement, as she parented with patience, humour, respect, and above all, unconditional love.
Whilst living in Fredericton with her young family, Anne Marie obtained her Bachelor of Education from the University of New Brunswick, and worked as a teacher in Fredericton and Saint John. She later obtained fluency in her third language, French, and taught immersion for many years at MacDonald’s Consolidated School on the Kingston Peninsula until retirement. Recognizing that success in a new country lies in learning the language, Anne Marie then taught English as a second language through the YMCA Newcomer Connection Center.
Anne Marie’s interests were numerous and her talents many. She loved art in all forms, especially enjoying sketching and painting. She could act, dance, and sing, appearing in several productions with the KV Players, and the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Fredericton and Saint John theater company. She enjoyed card games especially bridge, and board games, and would become extremely competitive and sometimes boistrius when playing, as many of her family, friends and neighbors will attest.
Anne Marie was also a dedicated and skilled gardener, sometimes being found amongst the flowers and greenery in heels or pyjamas in the early morning hours. She had a flair for fashion, thrifting, and the art of accessorizing, and very much enjoyed collecting art, jewellery and accessories. Her love of travel began on a trip with her brother Jos to the 1967 World Fair in Montreal, then expanded (especially in retirement) with trips across Canada, United States and overseas.
Anne Marie will be forever missed by her children, Lia (Kevin) Smith and Aaron (Julie) Breen, brothers Tony, Jos, Nick, Ted and Gerry, as well as grandchildren Meaghan and Owen Smith, Logan, Anna and Colin Breen, and many adored nieces and nephews.
Anne Marie was predeceased by her husband Doug Breen, parents and brothers John Mulder and Bill Mulder.
A special thank you to everyone involved in her care at Howe Hall and Lily Court, Parkland Saint John, and at the Saint John Regional Hospital.
The arrangements are entrusted to Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road (646-2424), Saint John. A funeral service will be held in the Chapel on July 14th by invitation. Those who are unable to attend the funeral are welcome to view a Livestream of the service with the link provided on the funeral home website. Anyone who wishes to attend her ceremony in person is asked to contact Aaron Breen at aaron_breen@hotmail.com
For those who wish, remembrances in Anne Marie’s memory may be made to:
Romero House: romerohouse.org/
Breast Cancer Society of Canada: bcsc.ca/
Association for Frontotemporal degeneration: www.theaftd.org/support-aftds-mission/
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Anne Marie Mulder Breen November 25 1945 July 8 2020 (age 74)..
Death notice for the town of: Saint-John, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick