It is with great sadness that the family of Margaret Margery Stymiest (nee McLean) of Tabusintac, and formerly of Moncton, announces her death at home on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 after a lengthy illness. Born on July 8, 1933, Margaret was the daughter of the late Elizabeth (nee Wishart) and Andrew McLean of Tabusintac. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Benson Stymiest.
Mona, as she was known to all who loved her, was brought up in a loving family with her brother, the late Wishart McLean. Her parents valued education and exposed her, at an early age, to reading and poetry. They sent her to the Holy Family Convent in Tracadie to complete her secondary education as they hoped she would pursue a university degree. She graduated from Teacher’s College in Fredericton in 1950 and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Moncton while both raising her children and working as a school teacher.
Mona taught at many schools in Fredericton, Miramichi and Tabusintac, and was one of the first cohort of teachers at the newly opened Harrison Trimble High School in Moncton where she taught French and math. She was known as a very caring teacher who established strong relationships with her students, a key characteristic of her teaching excellence. Many of her former students talk about how much she cared about them and how she went above and beyond to support them in their learning.
She and Ben loved to travel in their later years, and they visited places she had dreamed of as a young girl including China, Turkey, Yugoslavia, France, England, Ireland, and Scotland. Her love of reading continued throughout her life, and she was a member of a book club during the years she and Ben lived in Moncton. She kept her mind active with bridge and was a wealth of knowledge about family history which she shared with her children and grandchildren. Family and friends were very important to Mona.
Mona is survived by her sons, Donald (Beth) of Bathurst and David (Therese) of Shediac, and her daughters Beth of Moncton and Sybil (Greg Smith) of Ottawa, as well as her grandchildren, Andrew, John, Catherine, Alison, Madeleine and Harriet, and her great grandchild, Ethan. She is also survived by her two nieces, Lisa McLean and Mary Jane Leggett (Brent). She was predeceased by her parents Elizabeth and Andrew, her husband Ben, her brother Wishart, and her nephew Craig McLean.
At the request of the family there will be no visitation. The Funeral Service will be held Wednesday July 27, 2022 at 11 am at St. Andrews United Church, Tabusintac with Reverend Jean Herman officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery.
PLEASE NOTE: Masks are asked to be worn in the Church.
The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to Mona’s two long time caregivers, Cindy LeVeille and Laudina Savoie. Their loving care allowed her to remain at her childhood home in Tabusintac during her declining years. They would also like to thank Extra-Mural nurses, Monique Comeau and Rebecca Godin, who supported the family in caring for Mona during her final days.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mona’s memory can be made to the Elizabeth Frye Society, or an Animal Shelter of the donor’s choice. To send a message of condolence, may be sent to info@davidsonsfh.com.
Arrangements are in care of Davidson’s Funeral Service, 622-7464 or online at www.davidsonsfh.com, your family-owned, family-operated Funeral Home
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Margaret Margery Stymiest 2022..
Davidson’s Funeral Service Ltd
Death notice for the town of: Miramichi, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick