Obituary of Marie Auréa Edwina Bourque

Our Mother and Friend, passed away in the afternoon of November 20, 2017, at the Saint John Regional Hospital, in Saint John, NB. Edwina, born in Cocagne, NB on April 6, 1923, was the youngest daughter of the late Philias and Adéle (Donelle) Bourque. As a young woman, she left Cocagne to work in Moncton and later moved to Saint John where she has lived permanently and raised her family with her husband Edgar. Her dignity, wisdom, wit and her spirited sense of humour endeared her to a wide circle of friends both young and old. For this she will always be alive in our hearts and minds and through us she will live on. Death ends a life; not a relationship; Edwina will forever be in her children’s hearts; Louis (Marsha), of Wolfville, NS, Yvonne of Saint John, Maureen of Saint John, and Edwin (Pamela) of Rothesay, and three cherished grandchildren; Maria Bourque of Wolfville, NS, Danielle Bourque (Jeff Beckingham) of Rothesay and Emilie Bourque. Edwina is also survived by half-sister, Loretta Després, (late Stephane) of Cocagne, step-sister, Hélène Surette of BC, sister-inlaw Exilda McClary of ON, numerous nieces and nephews and many loving and loved relatives and friends. Edwina was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In addition to her parents, Edwina was predeceased by her husband, Edgar J. Bourque, stepfather Edouard Surette; brothers: Valerie and Willie; sisters: Nelda Surette (late Arias), Yvonne Fryatt, (late Johnny), Marie Doiron, (late Albert), half-sisters: Amélia Surette and Sr. Cora Surette; step-brothers: Dolore, Calice, Emery, Alonzo and Arias Surette; and halfbrother, Aristide Surette and his wife Hélène. Heartfelt thanks to Edwina’s friends and relatives who telephoned her regularly and visited her at home and maintained ties with her. Thank you especially to Loretta, Oliva and Leonard, to Lloyd, John and Lois, Dianne and Carl, and Gary and Claudette. You lifted her spirits greatly to know that she was loved by you. "Thank you" also to Extra-Mural Nurse Lisa Babin, Dr. David Bewick and Dr. Terry Comeau who made it possible for Edwina to live at home and whose support helped make Edwina’s illness much easier to bear. Special thanks also to the staff of both the St. Joseph’s and the Regional IV Day Hospitals for their many months of care and compassion, as well as to Drs. Julia Wildish and Robin Williams for the care and support provided during Edwina’s final days. Love and Light to all the beautiful souls Edwina has touched. Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424) with visitation on Friday, November 24, 2017 from 2:00 – 4:00 to 6:00 – 8:00. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 25, 2017 from Stella Maris Church, 201 Bayside Drive, Saint John, NB at 10:00 am followed by interment at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Edwina’s memory to the Saint John office of the Canadian Red Cross Health Equipment Loan program would be appreciated.