Obituary of Marilyn Gail Ann Donnelly

The death of Marilyn Donnelly occurred on Friday, February 17, 2012 by accident in Kelowna, British Columbia where she was visiting family. She is survived by her husband Fred Donnelly of Rothesay and Professor of History at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John, her children Sandra (Stephen Tobias) of Saint John and James (Julie) of Kelowna and her four grandchildren; William, Alexander, Sarah and Miles. Born September 12, 1949 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad she was the daughter of Georgiana and the late Andrew Johnston of that city. A graduate of Holy Name Convent School in Trinidad, Marymount College in Quebec City and Carleton University in Ottawa she also took university courses at Sheffield University in Sheffield, England and at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. She and her husband had been residents of Sheffield and Edmonton before moving to New Brunswick. A resident of Rothesay since 1979, Marilyn worked for several years in the school libraries of the Kennebecasis Valley and briefly in the medical library of the Saint John Regional Hospital. A volunteer for many organizations including Scouts Canada and Read Saint John as an adult literacy mentor, at the time of her unfortunate death she was volunteering as archivist for the Saint John Theatre Company. She was an accomplished painter and photographer and some of her travel photographs had been published in national media. Marilyn was an avid traveler who enjoyed the challenge of organizing expeditions, overcoming obstacles and making difficult journeys run smoothly. In the past year she and Fred had several wonderful experiences spending time in such diverse places as Pasadena and San Diego in California, Athens and Crete in Greece, a wilderness retreat on Vancouver Island, Harlow and London in England, and a Donnelly family reunion in Hudson, Quebec. Everywhere she went Marilyn appreciated what the local culture had to offer. She went to the theatre, attended art and photographic exhibitions along with museums and the archaeological sites across some two dozen countries she had visited in the world. Food was another of her passions, both its preparation and enjoyment, and her favourites were the West Indian, Chinese and Indian varieties. She will also be sadly missed by brothers Keith (Oylan) Johnston of Toronto and David Johnston of Los Gatos, California and sisters Helen Rignault of Calgary, Janice (Gary) Carefoote of Toronto, Catherine Henry of Lynchburg, Virginia and many nephews and nieces. She will also be deeply missed by brothers-in-law Graham (Leslie) Donnelly of Westmount, Quebec and Alan Donnelly of Vancouver. Arrangements are entrusted to Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home, 152 Pettingill Road, Quispamsis, (506) 849-2119, with visitation on Monday, February 27, 2012 from 7-9 PM and the following day Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 31 Gondola Point Road, Rothesay, on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at 12:00 Noon. A reception will immediately follow the Mass, at the church hall. For those who wish, donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online donations and condolences may be made at: www.kennebecasisfh.com