Obituary of Louise Catherine Rooney

Louise Catherine Rooney nee Debly [Issac] died on Monday May 17, 2004 at the Halifax Infirmary Hospital surrounded by her children. Louise was the wife of Louis [Louie] J. Rooney and the daughter of the late Kamel Debly Dahr-el-Aine Lebanon and Martha Busaid of Martinque in the Leeward Islands and stepmother Carmel Habib Busaid Karem. Louise graduated from Saint Vincent's Girls High School class of 1939, Saint John General School of Nursing 1942, then volunteered and served as Lieutenant Nursing Sister in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps Field Hospital and was discharged in 1945. Nursing continued in Streetsville Ontario before raising a family in Saint John and practising a as a private duty nurse. Louise was active in the New Brunswick Private Duty Nurses Association executive and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 64 where she was a chartered member. She held membership in the Progressive Conservative Party with a focus on the Young Progressive Conservatives. She was active in Saint John High School PTA, Girl Guides and the Catholic Women's League. Louise returned to active nursing at the Saint John General Hospital, East Saint John Hospital, and Centracare. Her time as an instructor at the Saint John General School of Nursing at the University of New Brunswick Saint John Campus was her crowning moment in her nursing career. Upon retirement she moved to Halifax where she was on the executive of the Northwest Seniors Club, lawn bowled with Saint Mary's Lawn Bowling Club and enjoyed speed skating. She is survived by her children Catherine [Robert] Parsons of Portugal Cove Newfoundland and Labrador, Constance of Halifax, James [Catherine] of Halifax, Richard St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador, and Carmel [Farid Taheri] of Halifax; sisters Josephine Plume Saint John, Eileen Farnsworth of Vancouver, Irene Chalifoux of Parksville, British Columbia; 14 grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Louise was predeceased by her husband Louis, son John, brothers, Frank, Joseph, John, and sisters, Teresa, Eva, and Rose. As per Louise's wishes the body has been cremated. The family will be welcoming guests at the home of Carmel, 27 Downs Avenue on Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9. Celebration of Louise's Life will continue at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row (634-7424), Saint John, New Brunswick, on Thursday with visitation from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Pius X Church on Friday at 11:00 with a reception to follow.