Obituary of Vida May Maxwell

It is with heavy hearts the family of Vida May (Bishop) Maxwell, loving wife of the late Byron E. Maxwell, announce her passing which occurred at the Saint John Regional Hospital on Sunday, February 19, 2017 surrounded by her family, love and faith. Born in Chipman, NB on April 25, 1927, she was a daughter of the late Whitfield and Geraldine (MacDougall) Bishop. Vida was a graduate of Chipman High Schoo l, the Provincial Normal School and the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Teaching (70) and a Bachelor of Arts degree (71). She taught school in Saint John and other communities in NB. She loved teaching, which was important in the church, the community and her family. She was a member of the NBTA and NBSJRT. She was a dedicated member and past deacon of Hillcrest Baptist Church where she served in many ways, including teaching Sunday school and on the Board of Finance. She was a dominion life member of Edith Allaby Woman’s Missionary Society and had served on the Executive of the UBWMU/ABW (Women’s Missionary Society) and also a member of the Senior Group (Keenagers) (HBC). Vida is survived by her children: Karen Van Wart, J. Arthur (Susan) Van Wart, Cathie (Arnold) Sprague, all of Saint John and Faith Van Wart, of Toronto; grandchildren: Jason (Samantha) Van Wart, of Toronto, Scott (Cassie) Van Wart, of Saint John and Phillip (Rachel) Sprague, of Halifax; great granddaughter Emily Van Wart, of Saint John. Vida is also survived by three stepsons: Wayne (Donna) Maxwell, of Dartmouth, Gerald (Donna) Maxwell, of Saint John and James (Claudette) Maxwell, of Saint John; and by their children and grandchildren; two sisters: Pauline (late Robert) McCrum, of Brockville, ON, and Myrna (Brian) Till, of Oak Point; brother Raymond (Marita) Bishop, of Oromocto, NB; several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Byron and her parents, she was predeceased by her first husband and the father of her children Claude Van Wart and her sister Thyra (late Robert) Gander. Vida will be missed by her extended family and her many friends. She loved her Lord and was happy to have an opportunity to share her faith with others. Her children, grandsons and great granddaughter were a very important part of her life as was her extended family. She had many interests including drawing, reading and gardening. The family would like to extend sincere thanks of appreciation and gratitude to the staff and volunteers of Saint John Regional Hospital, especially Dr. Elizabeth Keyes and the staff of 3AN for all the kindness, compassion and care shown to Vida. Resting at Brenan’s Bay View Funeral Home, 1461 Manawagonish Rd., Saint John, NB (634-7425) with visitation on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. The funeral service will be held at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 476 Lancaster Ave., Saint John, NB on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 2:00 PM. Interment will take place at Cedar Hill Ext. Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances in memory of Vida may be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church, the Canadian Baptist Ministries (Missons), Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice. Her favourite Bible verse: Micah 6:8 – "What does the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God"