Obituary of E. Elaine McGirr

McGirr, E. Elaine, (Doiron) It is with appreciation of a life well lived that the family of Elaine (Doiron) McGirr, loving wife of the late Gerald G. McGirr, announces her passing which occurred on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Rocmaura Nursing Home. Born in Saint John on July 6, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Cyril and Anastasia (Haley) Doiron and was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Elaine was a graduate of St. Vincent’s High School, Mount Carmel Academy, Ottawa School of Technology and St. Francis Xavier University. Elaine entered the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception at a young age, where she was known as Sister Cyril. Following her education, she worked as a laboratory technologist and for many years was the Director of the Laboratory at St. Joseph's Hospital. She was also active in the education program for student technologists, working in partnership with the Saint John General Hospital and the Province of New Brunswick. Under her leadership, the laboratory achieved accreditation status with the Canadian Council of Accreditation. Later in her career, Elaine led the lab in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and worked in New York. Following these experiences, she left the Sisters of Charity and returned to Saint John. She later married Gerry McGirr and cared for him over many years of his illness. Elaine took great pleasure in her family. Simple pleasures, such as picnics with her sister and brothers, were a great joy, especially if they included sandwiches or barbecues and sweets. She took delight in the achievements of her nieces and nephews and followed their academic, literary and musical experiences with enthusiasm. She was able to effectively support them as she was equally capable in English and History as she was in Science and Mathematics. Elaine will be missed by several nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews, as well as her sister-in-law Thelma. In addition to her parents and husband, Elaine was predeceased by her siblings: Frank (Frances), Pete (Connie), Eleanor, Charlie (Kitty), Deaner, and Yvonne (George) Rough. The family would like to thank the staff at Rocmaura, particularly Hopewell Court, for the tremendous love, caring and support Elaine received during her time there. Resting at Brenan`s Bay View Funeral Home, 1461 Manawagonish Road, Saint John (634-7425) with visitation on Sunday, March 26, 2017 from 4-8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 360 Dufferin Row, Saint John on Monday, March 27, 2017 at 12:00 pm. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances made to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, the MS Society, or Alzheimer Society of NB would be appreciated by the family.