Obituary of Anne Elizabeth Marr

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Anne passed away peacefully with John, her husband of 59 years, and daughter, Beth-Anne, at her bedside on December 28, 2020, in the palliative care unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick on May 27, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Norman and Elizabeth (McNulty) MacKinnon.

Anne graduated from Saint John Vocational School in 1957 then proceeded to graduate with a Radiological Technologist Diploma from St Joseph's Hospital in 1959.  Anne who valued education went on to obtain her Diploma in Registered Nursing from Algonquin College in Ontario in 1981 becoming a Critical Care nurse at the Pembroke, Ontario Hospital and on to St Joseph’s Hospital in Saint John in 1984. Anne graduated with her Bachelor of Nursing Degree from the University of New Brunswick in 1992 and retired from the Saint John Regional Hospital Dialysis Unit in January 2001.  Anne became an active member and advocate with the New Brunswick Kidney Foundation and was honored in 2009 with the Charles Levesque Volunteer of the Year Award for her work with the Foundation.

Anne loved life and believed in doing what you can for others and that we travel the road of life only once.  She held dear, her relationships she developed throughout her life.  Anne was a military spouse who had the opportunity to work and live across Canada, in Germany and in Egypt resulting in lasting memories and friendships being developed from around the world. Most enjoyable for Anne and John, was the time spent in the Sinai Desert where they developed close relationships with their Kiwi friends whom later hosted them to a memory filled holiday throughout New Zealand.

Though Anne experienced the devastating loss of her son and health issues of late, she still met each day with a smile and genuine zest for life.

Family time was thoroughly enjoyed including time spent at the lodge on Cassidy Lake and cruising the Caribbean with her husband, daughter and son in law, as well as golfing in Sussex, Hampton and her month long vacations at the Villages in Florida with Alice.

In addition to her husband and daughter, Anne is survived by her son in law Michael Ernst; brother Calvin MacKinnon (Nancy) of Saint John; sister-in-law Joyce MacKinnon of Saint John; sister-in-law Reby MacKinnon of Summerside, PEI; brother in law Bill Marr (Gail) of French Village; and several nieces, nephews, and great-nephews and nieces.

In addition to her parents, Anne was predeceased by her beloved son John Whitfield and brothers Norman and Ian MacKinnon.

To ensure the health and wellbeing of our family and friends, a graveside service at Fernhill Cemetery and a celebration of Anne's life will be held at a later date.

We would like to extend our thanks to the staff of 3CN, 4CN and Palliative Care units of the Saint John Regional Hospital for the compassionate care provided to Anne.

Arrangements entrusted to Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB. (634-7424). Donations in Anne’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com