SPARKS, ELIZABETH "BETH" MARJORIE - January 19, 1947 - August 19, 1012 ~What a beautiful difference one single life made~ With gratitude for her life, it is with sadness that our family announces the passing of Beth Sparks on Sunday, August 19, 2012 at the Moncton Hospital following a lengthy illness. Beth was born on January 19, 1947 in Moncton, NB, she was the daughter of Peggy and Bill West. Beth was a loving wife, caring mother and wonderful grandmother. She was a nurse by profession, active community member and a kind, supportive friend to many. Beth graduated from the Moncton Hospital School of Nursing in 1968 and so began a full, diverse and passionate career as a professional Registered Nurse. She received a Diploma of Public Health from Dalhousie University. Beth held a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Moncton and a Masters of Nursing from the University of New Brunswick. She served in many roles throughout her career at the Moncton Hospital including that of staff nurse, Nurse Manager of CCU and Clinical Nurse Specialist. Upon her retirement, Beth was the Senior Nurse Advisor at the Moncton Hospital. Beth was the former President of the Nurses Association of New Brunswick and a board member of the Canadian Nurses Association. Beth served on many local, provincial and national healthcare committees throughout her career. She was a teacher of Clinical Leadership and Advanced Cardiac Life Support for many years and was an instructor at UNB. Beth was awarded the Award of Merit from the New Brunswick Nurses Association for excellence in client and family care, leadership and professionalism in 2001. She was honoured with the Centennial Award from the Canadian Nurses Association in 2008 for her contributions to nursing and healthcare. She loved being a nurse and caring for patients and their families. She held a particular interest in research ethics and patient safety. She was proud to be part of a fellowship of health professionals where she was a wise teacher, advocate, respected role model and mentor. Beth was happiest when she was being creative and helpful. She delighted in her friendships and she loved to entertain and host large dinners. Times of celebration with family and friends and nurturing her relationships were so important to Beth. She was an avid cook, talented seamstress, and community volunteer. She was a member of St. Paul’s United Church and was active there as a member of Session, the UCW, and various volunteer roles. It was at St. Paul’s that Beth and her friend, Bev Ring, developed and implemented a community hospice. Beth served as president of the Moncton Hospital Nurses Healthcare Auxiliary and was active with the Moncton Hospital School of Nursing Alumni. Beth is lovingly remembered by her husband of 43 years, Ron Sparks of Riverview, NB and their four children; Jeff Sparks and his wife Suzanne Beaulieu-Sparks and their children, Josée Elizabeth and Philip also of Riverview, NB; Joann Mallett and her husband Steven and their children, Jacob and Samuel, of Quispamsis, NB; Michael Sparks and his partner, Lorraine Hughes, of Montreal, PQ; and David Sparks of Lakeville, NB. Beth will be dearly missed by her father, Bill West of Riverview, NB and her five siblings; Mary Oldford of Grand Falls-Windsor, Nfld., Graham West and his wife, Andrea, of Moncton, NB; John West and his wife, Darlene, of Oliver, BC; Gloria Graham and her husband, Stephen, of Chester Basin, NS and Andrew West and his wife, Ellen, of Truro, NS. Beth also leaves her brothers-in-law, Doug Sparks and his wife, Lois, of Moncton, NB and Neil Sparks and his wife, Jocelyn, of Riverview, NB. She will be fondly remembered by her nieces; Beth Oldford, Amy Oldford, Stephanie West, Denise West, Lori Graham, Sarah Waters, and Alison Sparks and her nephews; Will Oldford, Scott Graham, Andy West, Craig Sparks, and Christopher Sparks. Beth is also survived by several cousins and her dear friends Bev Ring, Lois Scott and Betty Audain. Beth was predeceased by her mother, Peggy West, and by her parents-in-law, Doug and Edith Sparks. Heartfelt thanks extended to the many nurses and physicians who cared for Beth throughout her illness. The family offers special thanks to the nurses of NICU and Palliative Care and to Dr. Peter Docherty, Dr. Pam Mansfield and Dr. Bill Taylor. The kind, warm ways you extended care to Beth will be remembered always.
Visitation to take place on Wednesday, August 22, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at Cobb’s Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 330 Whitepine Road, Riverview, NB., (869-2007). Funeral service to be held on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 1pm at St. Paul’s United Church, 404 Cleveland Ave, Riverview, NB with Rev. Steve Berube officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall with the interment to take place at Fair Haven Memorial Gardens. Donations in Beth’s memory may be made to the Friends of the Moncton Hospital Foundation or to the charity of donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.cobbsfuneralhome.ca