Obituary of Kimberlee Ann Plater McCumber
It is with love that we announce the passing of Kimberlee Ann Plater McCumber on January 21, 2025 in Saint John.
Kim was born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1957 and had a wonderful upbringing in the area with many family adventures. They canoed in Algonquin Park, sailed on Lake Ontario, had a special vacation in Barbados and toured Europe in a VW bus. Kim played flute in the school band, and trained as a junior forest ranger in Sibley Provincial Park. She was a very good student and came to UNB to earn her Forestry degree. On her eighteenth birthday in Fredericton Kim met her
future husband, Eric. Kim was very capable and had a zest for life, taking a summer job as camp cook near Baker Lake, Nunavut where she learned how to shoot a rifle to protect herself against bears and feed a dozen geologists from a propane oven and hole-in-the-ground fridge, all while living in a tent. Kim spent one summer in Sweden as a forestry intern where she learned the Scandinavian approach to silviculture.
After graduating Kim and Eric moved and worked extensively including several communities in New Brunswick until they settled with their growing family in Long Reach. The woods and fields were a joy to Kim. She spent the early years with her three children at home, nurturing them and building a life in their 1905 farmhouse. Once the kids were in school, Kim decided to change careers and got her teaching degree. She taught kindergarten at Westfield School for many years, and brought her broad knowledge and caring heart to her classroom.
Kim had a calm, loving and accepting presence. One of her favourite places to spend time was outside on the porch in the fresh air and trees. Kim had a number of pastimes including gardening, weaving, sewing, reading, ancestry, heritage, camping and canoeing but her greatest joy was family. With two of her children’s families just across the road and the third not far away, grandchildren kept her happy and smiling.
Kim is survived by her parents Jessie and Peter Plater, and her sister Jennifer Enright (niece Fiona) all of Hamilton. Her children include her son Brent and wife Jen and granddaughters Tessa and Riley; her daughter Emily and husband Kristian and grandson Lex; and her daughter Laura and husband Kyle and grandsons Wyatt and Owen. She is also survived by her husband of 44 years and paddling partner Eric.
If you have an urge to commemorate Kim’s beautiful life please consider planting a tree. She loved them all but her favorite was White Pine.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (506-634-7424). In keeping with Kim's wishes, there will be no services at this time.
Online condolences may be shared at www.brenansfh.com.
