GREENLAW, VERA - Vera Virginia Greenlaw of North Head, Grand Manan Island passed away Thursday, May 22, 2014 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born in Hollywood, California she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Ruf) Senn. She was a nurse at the L.A. General Hospital before marrying Samuel Greenlaw Sr. Being a Jill of all trades, she was captaining an albacore trawler off Catalina Island when she met her husband. After the birth of her fourth child she convinced her husband to sell his boat yard and return to his birth place, Grand Manan Island. Upon the death of her husband less than 18 years later, she recertified her nursing license and worked for over 12 years at both the General and then the Regional Hospitals in Saint John. Virginia was an avid gardener and a talented painter who held a booth at the Island Farmer's Market where she also volunteered for many years. She was known for her beautiful Island scenes she painted upon scallop shells and for her delicious cinnamon buns. Virginia was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Grand Manan Legion, and the Church of the Ascension. She was the first distance home hemodialysis patient in New Brunswick, and was pampered by Trish's girls from Dialysis Teaching for over 11 years. During her retirement Virginia enjoyed her beautiful garden and the company of, long talks with and great visits from with her good friends Ann Chudleigh, Earlyne Hall, Judy Delaney and Doris Holman. Virginia is survived by her four children, a daughter, Susan Greenlaw and three sons, Sam (Sharon Zwicker) Greenlaw, Nathan (Darlene Parker) Greenlaw and Joseph (Fredonna Dean) Greenlaw, all of North Head. Virginia will also be missed by her 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, whom she spoiled with her knowledge, time, patience and cookies. She was predeceased by her husband, Samuel M. Greenlaw; one step-son, Angus Greenlaw; and two brothers, Joseph and Gerald Senn.
Visiting will take place at Ells Funeral Home on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. The funeral service will take place at the Church of the Ascension on Monday, May 26, 2014 at 1:30 pm with Rev. Dana Dean officiating. Interment to follow at the North Head Community Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Virginia's memory can be honoured with donations to the Grand Manan Youth Artists (in care of Dana Dean) or towards memorial plants for the New Grand Manan Nursing Home. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Ells Funeral Home Inc., 1199 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB E5G 1G2. Condolences and messages of sympathy also may be sent to www.ells.ca or (506) 662-3116.