Obituary of Anna Gertrude Boyle

It is with tremendous sadness that the family of Anna Gertrude (Graham) Boyle announces her passing which occurred January 22, 2019 at SJRH following a brief illness and "when her work on this earth was finally finished". It is with boundless joy that we offer this all too brief picture of a life of tremendous accomplishments – well lived. Born on May 28, 1927 at Graham Brook Farm in Lakewood N.B. (Now part of Saint John) she was predeceased by her parents S.Ernest and Elizabeth H. "Bessie" (Johnston) Graham; her husband, F. Dennis Boyle; her sister, Audrey (Graham) Matthieu; and her Brothers in Law: James Boyle, Andrew Hamilton, Alcide Matthieu, and Ross Harris. Anna is survived by her sister, Mary Harris. Anna was the proud mother of twelve, as exemplified by her licence plate 12XAMOM. She is survived by her five daughters: Kathleen (Paul McIlveen), Anna Denise "Neno" (Jack MacMillan), Mary Pat (Bruce Martin), Helen (Richard Boyd), Mona, and her seven sons: Dennis (Patricia Kingston), John, Owen (Jennifer Delay), Patrick, Michael (Elizabeth Mallette), Christopher, Daniel, her Brothers in Law: Jack Boyle (Alice Wienand), Patrick Boyle (Ann McMullin), and her Sister in Law, Helen (Boyle) Hamilton. She is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. Anna was the proud grandmother of Natalie (Tyler MacLennan), Kathleen (Brendan Johnstone), Michael, Maria, Jacqueline MacMillan, Elizabeth MacMillan, Christopher MacMillan, Gregor Martin , Blaise Boyd, Fiona Boyd, Dennis, Seamus, Christine, Brendan, Kathryn Anna, Mary Frances, Patrick, Jack, Owen, Gregory, Francis, Molly, and 1 great grandchild, Parker Johnstone. Anna grew up in Lakewood at Graham Brook Farm and attended Lakewood School, Saint John High School from where she graduated in 1944, following which she graduated from Provincial Normal School (Fredericton) in 1945. Anna taught school on Patridge Island and Rothesay, Princess Ann and Prince Charles Schools. She left "school" teaching to become a full time "stay at home" mother but remained a "teacher" throughout her life. Being devoted to the ideals of education and the ongoing development of the mind she remained a lifelong learner and teacher, she could not resist "the teachable moment". Anna continued to enroll in courses at UNBSJ well into her eighties - as an octogenarian Anna loved much – She loved her family, she loved life (particularly new life) and recently proudly received the news that two more great grandchildren are scheduled to arrive later this year, she loved Nature – excluding snakes, Art, Literature, Writing (Letters to friends and articles for the newspaper), History, Geography, Storytelling, Mathematics "it just makes so much sense", good Penmanship, and Red Hair. Anna was a tireless advocate and spokesperson for "special needs persons", having worked with many groups and committees over the years. During her lifetime she received many awards and recognitions among which was the Bishop Dollard Medal. She seems to have accomplished so much in only 91 years. Anna’s family extends sincere and abundant thanks to the kind and compassionate care she received during the final days of her life from Dr. Les Allaby; and at the SJRH in particular from the Nursing Staff on 4AN and Dr. John Desmond, Dr. Vance Anderson, and Dr. Adam Hoirch. Arrangements are under the care of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424) with visiting on Friday, Janaury 25th from 2:00 - 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 26th at 10 am from Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 360 Dufferin Row, Saint John. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cantena Jobs Plus Skills and Development Center– where Anna’s "special kids" attend. Online condolences may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com.