Gretchen Gwendolyn (Jones) Ayer
Born In: Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
Born: May 20th, 1925
Passed in: Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: February 8th, 2011
Gretchen Gwendolyn (Jones) Ayer, formerly of Upper Onslow, N.S., passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Feb. 8, 2011 at Cedarstone Enhanced Care, Truro, N.S.
Born in Sackville, N.B. on May 20, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Mabel (Hicks) Jones.
In her earlier years Gretchen attended Mt. Allison Business College and then began her working career at Atlantic Wholesalers Sackville, N.B., where she met and later married Frank Ayer. They moved to Truro, N.S. and began raising their family. Gretchen spent much of her career in the insurance industry; first working at Norwich Union Life Insurance (Art Hiltz) and remained there until the office was closed. She worked at Co-operators Insurance with Frank Hennessey and then joined Frank at Hennessey Insurance. She finished her career at Fulton’s Insurance. Gretchen spent a short time being secretary for the Onslow United Church, where she was also a member.
Gretchen was a loving mother and her children were the center of her life; she received so much enjoyment from being with them. She enriched their lives in many ways. Gretchen enjoyed playing bridge with friends. She would always look forward to a good game and the many laughs she would have with her Tuesday and Thursday bridge groups from Onslow and Bible Hill.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family having been predeceased by her parents; her husband, Frank Baird Ayer and her sisters, Marie (Larry) Trainor and Phyllis (Len) Turnbull.
She is survived by her children, Frank Prescott Ayer (Lenora Steele), Truro, N.S., Heather (Harold) Perro, George’s River, N.S., Jane (David) Armsworthy, Brookfield, N.S. and Jill (Donnie) MacMullen, Sydney, N.S.; her grandchildren, Karla, Chris and Doug Armsworthy, Katie Perro, Robyn and Michael MacMullen, step-grandchildren, Darryl, Dale and Kathleen Steele; several nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Dorothy Ayer, Edmonton, Alta. and brother-in-law, Robert Duncan, Cornwall, Ont.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Colchester Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro, with visitation being held on Friday, Feb. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. and a memorial service, to celebrate Gretchen’s life, to be held on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 11 a.m with Rev. Larry Harrison officiating. Cremation has already taken place. Interment will take place at a later date at the Four Corners Cemetery, Middle Sackville, N.B.
Family flowers only. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, Trinity United Church, Onslow, N.S. or the Four Corner’s Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Cedarstone Enchanced Care, especially the staff on Garden Road, for the care they provided to their mother during her time with them.
Online condolences may be made to www.colchestercommunity.com.
“One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love.” ~Sophocles
