Obituary of Kate Ellen Stanley

STANLEY, KATE ELLEN - of Passamaquoddy Lodge, St. Andrews, NB, passed away peacefully at the age of 92, on Saturday, January, 12th, 2008. Kate was predeceased by her loving husband Clifford Bruce Stanley in 1982 and her son Andrew Bruce Stanley of Toronto, in 2001. Kate has been the longest surviving member of a large extended family. She is the daughter of Margaret Biden (Deceased of Stanley, NB) and Stanley Douglass (deceased, of Fredericton,NB) and she is predeceased by her sisters Elsie VanWart, Margaret Harrison, Claire Douglass, Barbara Hughes and by her brothers, Howard Douglass, Andrew Douglass, Alan Douglass and Stanley Douglass. In later life, Kate enjoyed the friendship and support of her many friends at the Carleton Kirk Seniors Complex, West Saint John, NB for whom she often expressed great affection and gratitude. Throughout her life, Kate was able to express her natural gift of playing classical piano to the enjoyment of her friends, family and caregivers. She also enjoyed painting and poetry. She was an accomplished organist serving in several parishes throughout New Brunswick. Born in Stanley, NB in 1915, Kate moved to Fredericton at an early age. Kate had many cherished memories of her childhood years and her close friends from Waterloo Row. Kate was a primary school teacher on Grand Manan Island when she met and married Clifford Stanley of Grand Manan. Kate and Clifford were parted shortly after their marriage when Clifford was sent overseas at the beginning of the Second World War and Kate moved to Fredericton where, with constant help of her older sister Elsie and her brother – in – law Dr. Arthur Van Wart, she undertook the role essentially of a single parent until re- united with Clifford on his return from Europe in 1945. She and Clifford traveled extensively throughout Atlantic Canada with his position with the Customs Branch of the Federal Government and they lived in Grand Manan, River de Chute, Ottawa, Moncton and Halifax. Kate is survived and will be greatly missed by her son C. William (Bill) Stanley and her daughter in law, Barbara E. Stanley of St. Andrews, NB, her daughter – in – law Elliette Portal Stanley of Toronto, by her seven grandchildren, Graeme Stanley of Barcelona Spain, Malcolm Stanley of Toronto, Howard Stanley of Ottawa, Lindsay Willow Stanley of Martins River, NS, Jeffrey Bonham of Gondola Point, NB, Zoe Stanley and Martha Stanley both of Toronto, eight great grandchildren and by her brother – in – law Harry Stanley and his wife Marjorie, of North Head, Grand Manan , twenty nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their sincerest heartfelt thanks to Kate’s caregivers, Paulette Boyd, Elizabeth Chambers and Jane Gillies for their warm and devoted care of Kate at Carleton Kirk, and more recently to the wonderfully caring staff at the Passamaquoddy Lodge. By request of the family there will be no visitation, however friends are welcomed to attend a memorial service will to be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday January 2oth, 2008 at All Saints Anglican Church, 77 King Street, St. Andrews,NB. Canon John Matheson officiating. A reception will follow immediately at the home of son Bill at 275 Pagan Street, St. Andrews,NB. The interment will take place at a later date in Fredericton Rural Extension Cemetery, Fredericton,NB and Grand Manan, NB. In lieu of flowers donations to the Carleton Kirk Senoirs Residence Complex or Passamaquoddy Lodge, in St. Andrews, NB would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of Humphreys Funeral Home, 20 Marks Street, St. Stephen,NB (506 – 466 – 3110) On line condolences may be placed at www.humphreysfh.com