Obituary of Pauline Elizabeth Zed

Surrounded by her family Pauline Elizabeth (nee Aboud) Zed passed away peacefully at the Saint John Regional Hospital on Monday May 8,2017. Born in Shawinigan Falls, Quebec, January 13, 1924, she was one of eight children of the late Mr. and Mrs. Najib Aboud. Pauline was the wife of the late Dr. Velmore M. Zed. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by one brother, Ted and sisters, Lilian (the late George Haddad), Amelia (the late Dr. Leesha G. Zed (Nadia) and Jane (Maurice Elibri). She was also predeceased by her infant granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth McPherson. She is survived by her sisters, Mrs. Adele Haddad (late Nick), Mrs. Louise Wilcox (late Henry) and Mrs. Mary Matta (Virgil). Pauline is survived by her five loving children: Dr. V. Michael (Lorrie) of Rothesay, Pamela (Burns McPherson) of Halifax, NS, Diane (Nicola Ceravolo) of Beaconsfield, Quebec, Janice (Brian Murray) of Halifax, NS, and John (Diane) of Rothesay. In addition to her children, she is survived by several nieces and nephews. In particular, she had a special bond and relationship with her deceased sister-in-law, Virginia Zed and the children of her early deceased sister, Amelia and brother-in-law, Leesha. She created a legacy of love, kindness, grace and tenderness. She was a devoted grandmother to seventeen grandchildren: Jennifer (James), Laura (Nick), Alex (Ryan), Stephanie, Jennifer (Greg), Carolyn (Adrian), Melissa (Shane), Michael (Trish), Colin (Janice), Emily (Jonathan), Christopher (Josianne), Michael (Sylvie), Stephanie (David), Nicola (Erika), Diane (Kosta), John and Stephen and twenty-two great-grandchildren: Niamh, Madison, Caitlyn, Amelia, Eleanor, Keegan, Fiona, Edison, Georgia, Luca, Alexandra, Matteo, Liam, Olivia, Mia, Madeleine, Raffaella, Sienna, Valentina, Dimitri, Nicola, and Ava. In her early life in Saint John, Pauline in addition to raising five children found the time to be actively involved in several volunteer organizations, not limited to the NB Competitive Festival of Music, St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary, St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Catholic Women’s League of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Saint John Medical Society and the Union Club. Pauline was an avid and excellent bridge player throughout her life and she enjoyed membership in several bridge clubs. Diminutive in stature, none the less, she had a huge presence in any room. Engaging and ever respectful, she articulated her opinion on a wide variety of topics including politics, current affairs, religion and family values. Pauline was widely lauded for her culinary skills. Her prowess in the kitchen was unequaled and remained so. It gave her great comfort and joy to guide, teach and share her expertise with her children and grandchildren. Pauline’s greatest joy was her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her Catholic faith. A special thank you to Dr. Mark Foster and Dr. Michael Barry for their kindness and professionalism for Mom’s care over the years. We also would like to thank the doctors, nurses, KV Extramural and support staff at the Saint John Regional Hospital Palliative Care Unit. Thank you to Pauline's home caregivers (Evelyn, Evangelina, Kate, Miriam and Karen) from Assessment Plus who with family guidance met Mom’s needs with the challenges she faced. Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (506-634-7424) with visitation on Friday, May 12, 2017 from 2:00 – 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 31 Gondola Point Road, Rothesay, at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 13, 2017. Interment will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances to the ALS Society, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Building Fund or a charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.