Obituary of Theresa M. Eldridge

With her daughter by her side, the death of Theresa M. Eldridge of Carleton Kirk Apartments, beloved wife of the late Raymond B. Eldridge, occurred peacefully at the Saint John Regional hospital on Sunday, March 16, 2014. Born in Saint John, she was the daughter of the late Alexander MacEachen and Jessie (Marshall) MacEachen and was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Her growing -up years were spent in East Saint John, in a large and warm extended family relationship. Always an enthusiastic student, Theresa became the first in her family to graduate from high school, making her family very proud when she received her diploma from Saint John High School in June, 1944. Following their marriage the next year, she and Ray moved to Beaver Harbour, where he was a weir and lobster fisherman, and where their two children spent their early childhoods. The family later moved to Saint John, and eventually the couple divided their time between Saint John and Beaver Harbour, wintering in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, until her husband’s passing, in 1993. Theresa will forever be remembered for her welcoming, caring and giving ways. Over the years, her warmth and her vivacious personality have brightened the lives of all who knew her; and the help and support she freely gave to her family and her friends, whenever they needed her, will always be remembered with deep gratitude – this very special gift earned her the affectionate nickname, "Mother Theresa". Theresa is survived by one daughter Janice Lea and her husband Leland Thomas, and one son Maurice Alexander and his wife Anne Marie Devereaux, all of Saint John, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her husband, and her parents, she was predeceased by two brothers, Donald John, and Alexander, and two sisters Doreen Bastarache and Margaret Day. Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, where visiting hours will be from 7-9 pm on Tuesday for the family, and public from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Wednesday. The Funeral Service will be held at Christ Anglican Church, Pennfield on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 2:00 pm, with the Reverend Canon Keith Osborne and Father Dan Bastarache officiating. Interment in the adjoining cemetery will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to Christ Anglican Church, Pennfield, or the Heart and Stroke Fund, or the charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family.