WHELTON, ANNIE JOSEPHINE “JOEY” - Annie Josephine "Joey" Whelton (nee Keaveny) passed away peacefully at the Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at the age of 93. She was the wife of the late Bedford Whelton of Black Rock. Joey was born to John Keaveny and Catherine Guihan in Cornagee, County Roscommon, Ireland on 2 May 1918. She received her primary schooling in Arigna. She entered nurses training in Edinburgh, Scotland and it was there she met her future husband, Bedford while he was on leave from the Forestry #15 Corps. They met at the famous Palais de Danse in Edinburgh and it was love at first sight. He took her hand in both of his and said “I am going to take you back to Canada” and he did. Married in 1945, she joined thousands of women immigrating to Canada as a war bride. She sailed on the Acquitania arriving in Halifax in May 1946. She took the train to Bathurst where Bedford met her and took her off to a happily married life in Black Rock. She and Bedford built a home and a dairy farm and raised seven children: Dr. Teresa Mellish (Ken) of Montague PEI; Ann Sheehan (late Patrick) of Toronto & Pokeshaw; Kevin Whelton (Celine Couturier) of Moncton; Dr. Clare Whelton McCain (Allison) of Florenceville; Louise Gatej (Alex) of Courtice, Ontario; Michael Whelton (late Elaine) of Fredericton; Gary Whelton (Catherine) of Bathurst. She is predeceased by her husband Bedford (1995) and was the last remaining member of her family. Mary Fleming, Jim Keaveny, Patrick Keaveny, Michael Keaveny, Margaret Reynolds, Rosaleen McTavish and Brian Keaveny. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Angus Mellish (Shauna); Dr. Martha Mellish (Dr. Dave McRuer); Gerald and Rachel Sheehan; Brian and Kate McCain; Clare Izard (Doug) and Charles Gatej; Dean Whelton; Nancy Kamenyero (Jean-Claude); Anthony Whelton as well as two step-grandchildren: John Gatej, Christian Bertin and four great grandchildren. Joey embraced her adopted country and her extended family. She became a Canadian citizen without giving up her Irish citizenship. She was an active member of the community, ran a small grocery store and post office in Black Rock. She was available to all who needed her with nursing care and medical advice. She was active in the CWL serving as President and Treasurer; the local 4H club was an important part of her and her children’s lives. Between raising seven children, tending store and a vegetable garden, she was fulfilled. She loved to play cards as well as to sit, chat and laugh. She never lost her Irish accent and so in later years was often called upon to recite the poetry she had learned at school (the Isle of Innisfree and the Village Blacksmith). She could close her eyes and rhyme them off without a moment’s hesitation.
She is resting at the LeGresley Funeral Home in Grande Anse, NB. The funeral will be held at the Saint Simon and Saint Jude Catholic Church in Grande Anse on Monday, January 9. 2012 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Sunday, January 8, 2012. Donations may be made to the Pokeshaw and Black Rock Community Centre, Farmers Helping Farmers (www.farmershelpingfarmers.ca) or the Saint Simon and Saint Jude Catholic Church.