Jessie Belle Fitch
1935-2022
Jessie Fitch, daughter of the late Mr. John and Christene
(nee MacKenzie) MacKeil of Bay View, Nova Scotia, passed away on March
29 at the Grass Home, Riverview, N.B., at the age of 97 to be reunited
with her husband, the late Dr. Ralph H. Fitch.
After attending Pictou Academy, she entered the Halifax
Children’s Hospital, graduating in 1945. She was employed
with Victorian Order of Nurses in Moncton until her marriage to the
late Dr. Ralph H. Fitch in 1949. Always involved in church and
community work, she was honoured on many occasions. She was a Life
member of the Moncton Hospital Ladies Auxiliary; Life member of the
Provincial I.O.D.E. Chapter; Life member of the former Municipal IODE
chapter, and long-time member of the Dr. John Clarence Webster Chapter
IODE. She received an award for outstanding service from the United
Way of Moncton and served as Vice-President of the Founding Committee
of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra, the Board of YWCA, and Meals on
Wheels.
Jessie was a member of First Baptist Church, Moncton, for
over 60 years. She served as Moderator, Chair of the Board of Deacons,
Superintendent of the Sunday School and Teacher, and many other boards
and committees. She served as President of the Woman’s
Missionary Society and President of the Dr. Zella Clark Group. She was
the first female member of the Board of Deacons and recently was made
Deacon Emeritus of First Baptist Church.
Jessie graduated from Atlantic Baptist College, now Crandall
University, in 1993 with a certificate in Christian Foundations. She
received the “Leadership Award” at
Convocation.
She served as President of the United Baptist
Woman’s Missionary Union and travelled to India during the
term to visit mission schools and hospitals. She served on the Board
of Canadian Baptist Ministries and the Baptist Federation of Canada.
She was honoured with a Dominion Life membership of Baptist Women. She
travelled extensively.
Jessie was the first female President after 149 years of the
United Baptist Convention of the Atlantic Provinces. She served on the
Executive of the Board of Trustees of Acadia Divinity College,
chairing Capital Fund Campaigns. She served for 5 years on the
committee for the Moncton Music Festival.
She is survived by: Margaret of Toronto, William (Linda) of
Riverview, Catherine Bartlett (Blake) of Salisbury, Bruce (Nancy) of
Riverview and grandchildren Katherine Loza (Jorge) Halifax, Will
(Kana) Tokyo, Lauren of Riverview, Lucas of Moncton, Jenna of
Fredericton, Ruth of Toronto, John (Hannah) of PEI; great
grandchildren Anamaria, Emma, Nico and Lewis, sister, Jean Heighton of
Pictou and sister-in law, Gayle MacKeil of Dartmouth and many nieces
and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, the late Dr. Ralph H.
Fitch, her brothers, Blaine, John and her sisters, Margaret, Anna, and
Doris.
Many thanks to John and Lynn Grass and the staff of the Grass
Home who gave excellent, loving care.
Visitation will take place at Cobb’s Funeral Home,
330 Whitepine Road, Riverview (869-2007) on Tuesday, April
5th 6:00-8:00 pm. The service will be
held at First Baptist Church, 157 Queen Street, Moncton at 11:00 am
Wednesday, April 6th. At the family’s
request, face masks are recommended for those who wish to attend.
Donations in her memory can be made to Dr. Ralph and Jessie Fitch
Memorial Bursary, Acadia Divinity College or the Dr. Ralph and Jessie
Fitch Bursary Trust Fund at First Baptist Church. Online condolences
may be expressed at www.cobbsfuneralhome.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Jessie Belle Fitch 19352022..
Death notice for the town of: Riverview, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick
Dear Marg and family,
I was so sorry to hear of the death of your mother. In reading her obituary, I see how your nursing career and leadership was likely influenced by your mother. I wish I could have met her given her significant and continuous commitment in the church and community. My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Dawn Stacey (Ottawa)