PERT, MARGRATE LILLIAN The passing of Margrate Lillian (Downey) Pert of Fredericton, New Brunswick, beloved wife of Nelson Pert, occurred on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 in the Oromocto Public Hospital. Born on April 14, 1931 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she was the daughter of the late Hugh and Elizabeth (Somerville) Downey of Ireland. During the depression the family returned to Folkestone, on to south coast of England. As a child during WWII, she was separated from her family and evacuated to the safety of a caring family in Wales. Later, Margrate played the pump organ and for the remainder of her life mastered several other musical instruments. Margrate graduated from the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone, Kent, England as a Registered Nurse and returned to Canada as an RN to start her career at the Saint John General Hospital. Margrate worked in Saint John, Moncton, and at the VPH and Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton. During her career, she worked on the pediatrics, medical surgical floors, and ICU/SICU units, retiring after a very long career. She enjoyed camping and autumn drives to see the changing leaves along the Saint John River Valley. Margrate was a "Master Crafts Person" enjoying knitting, tatting, sewing, quilting and embroidery. She was an avid reader and enjoyed playing music into the early hours with her beloved husband, which influenced the musical interests of her family for generations. In 1994, she received the National "Guardian Angel" award for designing the coming home outfit for premature babies. Margrate spent several years assisting immigrants to Canada, and also immensely enjoyed helping young foreign students at UNB. In addition to her husband, Nelson, Margrate is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth (David) MacDonald of Edmonton, AB, Jeannie and her fiancée, Morris, Evelyn (Randall) Savage, of Grand Bay-Westfield; sons, Robert (Judy) of Shediac, NB, Calvin (Patricia) of Saint John, and Alistair (Fredericton); grandchildren, Trevor (Mélanie), Ian (Heather), Cindy, Jayme (Lisa), Graham, Bradley, Mitchell, Gregory, William and Holly, five great great grandchildren, including the most recent, Spencer; brothers, Bert (Rose), Calvin (Vera); sister-in-law, Jean Downey all in England and George (Julia) in Australia; several nieces and nephews. Margrate is predeceased by her bother, Jim of England A Gathering of friends and family will take place at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton, NB on Saturday, December 6, 2008 from 2 to 4 pm. Interment will take place at a later date. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the Fredericton SPCA, Extra-Mural Hospital, or in light of Margrate's many acts of kindness, please do something for someone in need. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com