Obituary of Yvonne Marie Gallant

With loving arms, the children of Yvonne Marie Gallant, resident of Rocmaura Nursing Home, said goodbye to their mother on December 16, 2018. Born on March 4, 1922, she was the daughter of Issaie and Emilienne (Robichaud) St. Coeur. Wife of the late Leo Joseph Gallant, Yvonne was a long-time resident of Saint John. She was born a proud Acadian, in Pokemouche, NB. Before becoming a full-time homemaker, she worked at the Eaton’s sewing factory making uniforms for soldiers during the war. Later, as a mother of four young children she was diagnosed with TB and confined to the sanatorium in East Saint John for almost a year. This separation from her husband and children had a profound impact on her life and she forever regarded her cure as a miracle. A loving mother of six children, she is survived by daughters Jeannita (Jock) Mullin of Montreal, RoseEva (Gallant) Butler, Rosemary Gallant, and Rina Gallant, all of Saint John; 7 grandchildren: Mary Ann Mullin, Jonathan Mullin, Michel Gallant, Jacques Gallant, Monique Gallant, Jonathan Sarjeant, and Andrea Kilpatrick; 5 great grandchildren: Emilie Silva, Olivia Gallant, Julia and Anna Kilpatrick, and Joona Rantala-Sarjeant. Also, three brothers: Joseph St. Coeur, Édouard St. Coeur, and Yvon St. Coeur, as well as several nieces and nephews. Sadly, Yvonne was predeceased by her son Claude Gallant and daughter Doris (Gallant) Sarjeant, three grandchildren, Monica Mullin, Kimberly Anne Sarjeant, and baby Andrew Michael Vincent Butler. A woman of strong faith, but not rigid, Yvonne welcomed people of all backgrounds, asking only honesty and kindness in her dealings. She was also a fierce defender of the underdog. Many will remember her from her time working at Vern’s Bakery in the city market. ‘Mom’, as the patrons called her, loved her job. She was a long-time member of the CWL and did considerable sewing for the Red Cross. Never afraid of a challenge, she decided to earn her driver’s license at the age of 56 and thoroughly enjoyed her years behind the wheel. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row (634-7424), www.brenansfh.com. A funeral mass was held on Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at Holy Redeemer Parish in Saint John. The family would like to thank the staff and management of Rocmaura for their excellent care and many kindnesses to Yvonne. This has been a great comfort to the family.