Obituary of Marina Forestell

At the Saint John Regional Hospital on April 18, 2025, Marina died peacefully at the age of 73. Born in Saint John, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Margaret (Quigley) Lundy.

Marina is survived by her devoted husband of 50 years, Peter Forestell, KC, Saint John, and her beloved children: Katie O’Donovan (Patrick), Toronto; Emily Forestell (Dr. Albert Banerjee), Fredericton; Kevin Forestell (Steven Butler), Saint John; and Patrick Forestell, Saint John. She will be dearly missed by her brothers, Mark Lundy (Mary Jane), East Dover, NS, and Tom Lundy, Hampton, as well as by her treasured grandchildren, Finn and Maggie O’Donovan, Toronto. She is also survived by a special aunt, Mary O’Keefe, Florenceville and her mother-in-law, Isobel Forestell, Saint John.

A founding member of SAFE, Marina leaves behind a loving extended family, including her brothers and sisters-in-law: Tom and Shirley Forestell, Toronto; Beth and John Wheatley, Rothesay; David Forestell and Sherrie Boyd, Quispamsis; Frank and Linda Forestell, Saint John; Jane Forestell and Danny McCarthy, Rothesay; Greg and Willa Forestell, Quispamsis; and Anne and Randy Wilson, Nackawic, as well as numerous nieces and nephews across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom and many cousins in the Lundy, Quigley, O’Keefe, Pitt, Craig, and Polchies families.

In addition to her parents, Marina was predeceased by her brother, William Lundy, her father-in-law, Harry Forestell, and her beloved aunts and uncles.

Marina attended St. Vincent’s High School where she forged a close lifelong friendship with Joan Grant and the late Bernice Alderman. Graduating in 1969, she attended St. Mary’s University and later graduated from the Saint John School of Nursing. 

Marina met Peter Forestell at a wedding of mutual friends and they married in 1974 and moved to Saint John where they raised their family. Marina enjoyed a rewarding nursing career at  hospitals in Saint John and Fredericton before serving as a public health nurse and later a Case Manager at WorkSafe NB.  Marina was also deeply involved with the Saint John YWCA, serving as President and playing a pivotal role in guiding the organization through its merger with the Saint John YMCA.

A devoted and supportive mother, Marina encouraged her children’s passions including the theatre, competitive swimming and their travels around the world. Putting the needs of her family first and foremost, her door was always open, her fridge was always filled, and she was always ready to feed an army on an hour’s notice.  She spent many happy summers at New River  Beach and Hatfield Point. Marina was a caring and supportive friend who deeply cherised her  friendship with ‘the bridge girls’.

Many thanks to the compassionate staff of 4B South and the Palliative Care unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital for the wonderful care received.

Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB, (506-634-7424). With visitation on Thursday, April 24th from 3pm to 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (Rothesay, NB) on Friday, April 25^th, at 11am, with reception to follow in the Church Hall. Internment will be held at a later date. Donations in Marina’s memory may be made to Bobby’s Hospice and the YMCA of Southwestern NB’s camp fund. Online condolences may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com.