Dorothy Ferne Meldrum
1924-2021
Dorothy Ferne
Meldrum peacefully passed away on 24 January 2021 in
Sackville, New Brunswick.
Born on 9 February 1924 in Riverside,
N.B. She was the first born of seven children to Sterling and Aggie
(Steeves) Downey.
Her early years were spent growing up in
Riverside and Curryville until the family moved to Coverdale for
better educational opportunities. She received her secretarial
certificate from Mount Allison Academy. She was employed with
Lounsbury’s then with Wartime Prices and Trade Board in
Moncton. She was
content with her career until Wendell came ‘crashing’ into her life on
2 August 1943. The
world was at war so courting days were short. They married on 4
November 1944 on a bright, sunny and warm day – a positive beginning
for 69 wonderful years together.
Wendell’s air force pilot training took
them to Montreal, Quebec from where he flew with the ferry command
until the end of the Second World War. Post war they lived in Halifax,
Nova Scotia during Wendell’s years of studying law. This was a very
blessed time for them. It was
the beginning for Wendell’s career, and most especially for the birth
of their 2 sons. After graduation they decided to settle in Sackville
where the law office supported the family and with Dorothy’s loving,
calm, warm and supportive personality she quickly became involved in
many church, school and community activities.
Dorothy strongly believed that the
family was the most important factor in her life. Her sons will be
eternally grateful for that decision and for the joyful, compassionate
and endless ways she showed her love for them. She supported Wendell
and her boys in every aspect of their lives and was very proud of
their achievements while always somehow remaining quietly in the
background and out of the spotlight.
After the boys left home to pursue
extended education, Dorothy worked with Wendell in the ‘office’ as his
secretary, accountant, bill collector and as a commercial appraiser of
real estate from which she and Wendell bought, renovated and sold half
a dozen old properties for their comfort, satisfaction and
profit.
Dorothy was always ready for a trip. She
especially enjoyed traveling to the ‘Old Country’, and happily
returning with a bargain found in a china or antique shop, be it
anything from an ornament to a full set of china dishes-a hobby she
enjoyed for years.
When political and legal
responsibilities lessened they spent pleasant winters in Florida.
While Wendell golfed Dorothy searched out yard sales for yet another
unique piece of china. When a few health issues arose, the strong
maternal pull to be closer to the family was satisfied by remaining
permanently in New Brunswick.
Summers were spent at the cottage in
Alma – just far enough away to thoroughly relax and enjoy those
endless tides together, the quietness, the golf and a little ancestral
nostalgia walking at Matthew’s Head.
Dorothy had a special ability to quietly
convince you to do something and in the end, leave you believing that
the idea was originally yours as was the decision to carry out the
idea. Of course, the idea always turned out to be in your best
interest. The twinkle in those beautiful brown eyes was the only tell
tale sign that she had done it again!
For a full, well lived life this is but
a brief outline. Anyone who knew Dorothy or were touched by her
acquaintance will not forget her positive attitude, her smile, her
love and her respect for others. Dorothy was truly a wonderful
lady.
Wendell will be happy to be united with
her again.
She will be remembered by her family;
sons, Wynn (Sharon) and Kirk (Mona) Sackville, New Brunswick; her
grandchildren, Allyson (Craig) Burgess, Truro, Nova Scotia, Wendy
Meldrum, Sackville, New Brunswick, Sara (Stephen) Youngner, John’s
Island, South Carolina and Mark (Colleen) Meldrum, Foam Lake,
Saskatchewan; her great grandchildren, Andrew and Karlee Burgess,
Brady Senior and Nolan and Kai Meldrum; her sisters, Rowena (Reg)
Brown, Moncton, New Brunswick and Marilyn (Jim) McKenzie, Hampton, New
Brunswick: and many in-laws, cousins, nieces and
nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents
Sterling and Aggie (Steeves) Downey; loving husband, Wendell (13
February 2013); an infant granddaughter, Katherine Davideen (Dee)
Meldrum; brothers, Don, Cerdic (Gwen) and Ralph, and a sister Mavis
(Ron) Mitton.
Arrangements are under the care and
supervision of Jones Funeral Home, 70
Bridge Street, Sackville, NB, (506-364-1300). There is to be no visitation or
services at this time. There
will be a private family memorial at a later date.
Those wishing to write a story, a note
or leave a memorial to the family may do so by visiting Dorothy’s
online memorial at www.jonesfuneralhome.ca or through the Jones Funeral Home Facebook
Page.
Contributions in Dorothy’s memory may be
made to the Drew-Tantramar Foundation, Sackville, or The Sackville
Memorial Hospital Foundation.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dorothy Ferne Meldrum 19242021..
Death notice for the town of: Sackville, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick