Mary Rosetta Cornell of Saint John and formerly of Pointe Claire, QC, wife of Richard "Dick" Cornell, passed away on Friday, May 14, 2010 at the Ridgewood Veteran's Centre. Born at Epsom, England on August 20, 1922, she was a daughter of the late Jonathan and Blanche (Vining) Blott. Mary was a Veteran of World War II, serving with the British Wrens. It was during this time that she met her Canadian husband, and moved to Canada in 1946. As an accomplished artist, Mary was a member of the Lakeshore Artists Association, and also taught water colour and collage classes, and exhibited her works each autumn at the Pointe Claire Community Centre, donating a portion of the proceeds to aid the intellectually challenged. Her many creations were very popular, and she was always challenged to create new works. Along with raising her family, she dedicated her talents to the Stewart Hall Art Gallery, where she was employed for many years, becoming co-director in 1980, and curating many exhibitions until her retirement. She subsequently moved to Saint John, New Brunswick in 2008. In addition to her husband of 66 years, Mary is survived by her children, Christopher Cornell of Burlington, Vermont, Jonathan Cornell (Kathy) of Kingston, Ontario, Sue Estey (Mac) of Rothesay, and niece Anne Paxton (Phillip) of Toronto; a daughter-in-law, April Cornell of Burlington, Vermont; grandchildren Cameron Cornell (Camille), Lee and Kelly Cornell, Jacqueline Estey, Jennifer Estey-Krueger (Kory), Rachel, Evan, and Vivian Cornell, Robin Paxton-Beesley (Lauren), Alex, Tommy, and Olivia Paxton-Beesley; and a great granddaughter, Josephine. In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by a sister, Gwendolyn Paxton.
Although there will be no visiting, relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service which will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 12:00 Noon from the chapel of Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). For those who wish, remembrances to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Ridgewood Comfort Fund would be appreciated by the family. www.brenansfh.com.