Obituary of Fairlie Drew McLean

Fairlie Drew McLean passed away peacefully at home in her sleep on September 30 after a short but heroic battle with cancer. Fairlie was born in Saint John, NB on September the 15^th, 1958. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Nancy (Mullin) McLean. Following the passing of her mother Nancy in 1966, Fairlie was guided to adulthood by her beloved stepmother Kathleen McLean (Freeman).

Fairlie grew up in the Rothesay area, going to Kennebecasis Park Elementary, Rothesay Elementary and Rothesay Junior High School before attending Saint John High School, graduating in 1977. She loved the many summers spent at Camp Glenburn, advancing to Camp Counselor.

Following high school, she took a road trip to the west coast of Canada and the USA with her late cousin Sandra Russell, Fairlie returned to the Maritimes and attended Mount Saint Vincent University, then on to work at the Atlantic Insight publication and then with Cox & Palmer law offices for a few years. She was a recognized singer with “The Goils”, performing 3-part harmony songs of days past as a Thursday night fixture at O’Carrolls among other venues with her besties Dilly MacFarlane and Nancy MacPherson Schwab accompanied by the late great pianist Frank Arab.

Fairlie then left to live in Louisville, Kentucky and less than 3 years later she was off again to Detroit, Michigan where she spent the next 12 years working for Hertz Schram & Saretsky law offices. During her time in Detroit, Fairlie was a member of the Renaissance Voices choral group as a primary soprano for years that included many local performances and touring to Europe and the UK, performing at many venues including some famous churches. Fairlie also had the honor of singing the Canadian and US national anthems prior to a regular season home game for the Detroit Redwings at the Joe Louis Arena.

Fairlie returned home to Saint John in 2001 and settled in quickly. She worked for many years at Stewart McKelvey, winding up her working career with the City of Saint John Solicitor’s Office.

Fairlie’s love of music and the outdoors (kayaking, hiking and walking) was well known and she was an accomplished pianist, guitarist and vocalist, enjoying playing at any opportunity (especially when joined by her favourite local musicians). She had many happy places around her home on the shoreline of Kennebecasis Bay where she gardened and hosted many beach fires where her closest friends could come down and enjoy an evening together.

Fairlie appreciated all of the support and care she received at the Saint John Regional Hospital, especially the oncology team at 5A South, the Cardiac Care team, the Radiation and Oncology outpatient team and all of the support staff that were so good to her during her battles with AML, Cardiac trauma and finally Metastatic Melanoma, which she was unable to defeat.

Fairlie is survived by her husband, Rory Ervin; stepmother, Kathleen McLean; brother, John (Donna); stepdaughter, Marjory Seidel (Jason); granddaughters, Izabelle and Maddison; brothers-in-law, Michael (Karen), Patrick (Nancy), Frank (Denise), Shane (Pippa); as well as several nieces, nephew and cousins. She was pre-deceased by her father, Robert and brother, Andrew.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB, (506-634-7424). With visitation on Friday, October 4, 2024, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM and Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 1:00 – 6:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Fairlie may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Online condolences may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com