Mary Janet Stevenson (nee Campbell)
1941-2019
Mary Janet Stevenson (nee Campbell) died suddenly in the
early hours of December 31, 2019. Known to all who loved her
as Janet, she was born April 10, 1941 in St. John’s,
Newfoundland to D. Chester “Chet” and Helen (Goodie)
Campbell.
Chet and Helen moved their young family to Fredericton soon
after the war. The family business eventually became
Tractors and Equipment on Smythe Street and, as many will know, this
was also the home to Open Gaits Stables. It was here and at
the nearby Fredericton Pony Club that Janet’s lifelong love
of horses flourished.
Janet attended the University of New Brunswick and graduated
with her Bachelor of Physical Education. While at UNB, Janet
happily met and married T. Robert Stevenson “Bob”.
Janet and Bob eventually settled in Fredericton, where Janet taught
Physical Education at Devon Junior High School and Bob started a
career in construction and mining equipment sales. Bob and
Janet welcomed two sons, Robert Sean Stevenson and Jon Campbell
Stevenson.
Janet was, above all, immensely proud of her
children. Through her constant love, even discipline, and
willingness to encourage risk-taking, Janet raised two successful and
big-hearted sons. Rob became a competitive equestrian
athlete who represented Canada in the 1992 Olympic Games; he later
returned to medical school to eventually practice cardiology at the NB
Heart Centre. Jon followed in his grandmother’s
footsteps by serving as captain of his basketball team at UNB; he then
earned an MBA from Dalhousie University before moving to New York City
for a career in the financial sector. Rarely passed a day
when Rob and Jon did not speak with their mother. Janet
served as a constant source of support, encouragement, and
love.
Janet fervently pursued the outdoors; she was in her element
walking with Bob and her dog in O’Dell Park, kayaking on
Foshay Lake, or skiing on any mountain from Crabbe to
Sundance. Janet believed strongly in the Fredericton
community, citing there was no better place to raise a family. For
many years, she served as a member of the Board of Directors of the
Chalmers Hospital Foundation. She also served on boards for
Sport New Brunswick and the Fredericton Pony Club.
Janet loved people and animals. She competed in
equestrian sport from a young age until she passed the reins to her
children. She was often seen in Fredericton with one or more Golden
Retrievers, warming the hearts of everyone she met with her joyful
presence and uplifting words. She took great pride in often
running into former students who would recall stories from her
teaching days. Her residence at 885 Mitchell provided a
second home for many of her sons’ friends; she never
hesitated to provide motherly counsel to those that joined her at the
kitchen table.
She lived her life in Fredericton, before retiring in recent
years to the family farm at Foshay in Lower Cambridge.
Foshay was her most favourite place, somewhere she could share fond
memories of her parents and build new ones with her own children and
grandchildren. As honourary co-chairs, Janet and Bob have
been the driving forces behind the formation of Foshay International,
a world-class equestrian event held each Labour Day weekend at the
farm. The event exemplifies so much about Janet: her wish to
celebrate the majesty of the horses and the province that she loved,
and to bring people together in fellowship, laughter, and
sport.
Janet’s life philosophy was captured in one of her
quintessential refrigerator quotes: “Adapt or Become
Extinct.” Janet was never afraid to pursue adventure,
to accept challenge, or to assent to change when it was
necessary. Janet always did whatever she had to do to live
and love in as full a manner as any human can
know.
Janet is survived by her husband, Bob Stevenson; her sister,
Andrea Dolan; brother and sister-in-law, Duncan and Fay Campbell;
sister-in-law, Kate Wilson; brother and sister-in-law, John and Peggy
Stevenson; her sons, Rob and Jon, and their wives Suzanne and
Savannah; and her precious grandchildren Grace Margaret (12), Richard
Robert “Robbie” (9), Caroline Campbell (8), and Sylvia Nelle
(3).
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s
United Church, Fredericton on Monday, January 6, 2020 at 1:00 pm with
Rev. Michelle Armstrong officiating. In lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions to one of Janet’s favourite causes
would be very much appreciated: The Helen Neill Campbell Merit Award
at the University of New Brunswick (www.unb.ca/academics/calendar/undergraduate/current/awards/search/helen-neill-campbell-merit-award.html),
or the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital Foundation (www.chalmersfoundation.com/).
www.mcadamsfh.com
Click here to View Condolences
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Janet Stevenson nee Campbell 19412019..
Death notice for the town of: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick