Obituary of Vera Bernice Stephenson

It is with great sadness that the family of Vera (Saunders) Stephenson of Quispamsis, wife of the late Walter Stephenson, announce her passing on Thursday, January 31, 2013, peacefully at her home at the age of 95. Vera was a proud graduate of “Normal School” located in Fredericton and taught her beloved students for 14 years in the Rothesay Elementary School and the Fairvale Elementary School. Unfortunately she was forced into early retirement due to a severe injury to her hip; yet she continued to care for the neighbourhood children and guide them in their studies. She was very active in her church and an active supporter of the Conservative political party. She was also a member of the Kennebecasis Senior Club and enjoyed many outings with her friends. Vera was an avid reader. She was interviewed at one time by a writer and her name was mentioned in three historic novels about the Kennebecasis Valley. She loved to entertain her neighbours and friends. She was a wonderful source of information of local folklore and had a passion for the history of the Kennebecasis Valley. People would rely on her for her sharp wit … right up to her passing. One of her greatest past times was watching her feathered friends through her living room window. Family and friends will definitely miss this wonderful matriarch. Vera is survived by her children, Darrold “Bud” Stephenson (Linda) from Fredericton, David “Wink” Stephenson (Pat) from Quispamsis, Don Stephenson (Pauline) from Ohio, Janet Garfield (Ivan) from Saint John and Sue Daley (Roy) from Dartmouth; her sister, Inez Parsons; four grandchildren, Becky, Peter, Natasha and Rae and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brothers, Robert and Kenneth Saunders and her sisters, Olive Saunders, Helen Wilson and Erma Bergeron. Resting at Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home, 152 Pettingill Road, Quispamsis, (506) 849-2119, with visitation on Monday, February 4, 2013 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. A funeral service will be held at St. Luke’s Anglican Church (Gondola Point), Quispamsis Road, on Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at 2:00 PM. Reception to follow at the Church Hall. Interment will take place in the adjoining cemetery, in the spring. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. www.kennebecasisfh.com