Obituary of Glenna Catherine Huggard
One of her nieces described her well: “Always on the go, making plans, quick witted, a generous person. She took me skating, would bring bags of candy to us kids, go to Tim Isaac auctions and bring things for her brother, loved to play 45’s and cribbage with us. A great auntie.” This was typical of my Mom- always there for others, especially myself, her mother ( who she nursed for 6 months in 1958) and father ( who used to spend winters with her in the last few years of his life), her brothers and sister, her religious community, and especially her 3 grandchildren – Amanda, Mattyas, and Millica who she had up every week for a special night and sleepover in the late 1970”s and early 1980’s. They loved her homemade bread, her homemade cinnamon buns, and marvelling at all her plants which seemed like a miniature jungle in her living room! They played dominoes and cribbage, and she loved them dearly right up until the end of her life.
She was an avid crossword puzzler, did crochet and needlepoint and knit many sweaters and stockings for her family and friends. She enjoyed several furry friends over the years, from Wappy the housecat to Lillibelle the poodle. Married in early 1944, but separated a while afterwards, she chose to remain single. Mom was predeceased by her father Charles Howard Allaby, her mother Nan Veronica(nee Gallagher) Allaby, and all of her siblings: Ralph, Ina, Albert and Barry.
Her strong Christian faith was started in 1944 by reading the book “The Truth Shall Make You Free”, published by Jehovah”s Witnesses. She dedicated her life to God’s service in that year, and never faltered in following Jesus’ instruction to “let your light shine before men that your Father in heaven may be glorified”. Doing that meant witnessing liberally to others about the “good news of the Kingdom”, and in consequence she helped many people to come to the point of dedication and baptism, all in the spirit of what the apostle Paul said: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God kept making it grow.” We take comfort in Jesus’ promise: “he that has endured to the end will be saved”, and “the good they did follows them wherever they go”.
I would like to thank all those that supported her throughout the final years of her life, including the caring staff of the Loch Lomond Villa.
It is impossible to sum up a long life so fully lived in a few paragraphs. It was a life well lived in the service of others- her family, friends and congregation- and to bring glory to her Heavenly Father.
I will leave you with one of her favourite sayings: “Do the best you can with what you have: it’s all a horse can do”. Our hope is to see mother once again in the Paradise on Earth, restored to vibrant health, and ready to work hard at whatever assignment she gets, “in the service of the Lord”.
Arrangements are under the care of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (506-634-7424). Glenna's Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 2:00 PM, at the Bayside Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2020 Loch Lomond Road and, simultaneously, on the internet using the Zoom App. For ID'S & passwords please call Philip at 506-653-1834 or email him at gothicar@nbnet.nb.ca.
