GLEASON, NERIDA “NENA” - It is with great sadness that the family of Nena (nee Cam) Gleason announce her death on Sunday, September 25th, 2011 at the age of 67. Born in Chimbote, Peru on September 21st, 1944 daughter of the late Maximo and Griselda (Villanueva) Cam and wife of Daniel Gleason of Fredericton. Nena leaves behind her husband, Daniel; son, Kelly Gleason of Bagram Airfield Base, Afghanistan; daughter, Katherine Gleason of Toronto; grandchildren, Isabella and Max Baker and Rowan Gleason; siblings, Sabina Frank of Berkeley, CA, Sara Cam of Miami, FL, Cesar Cam of El Callao, Peru, Elizabeth Cam of Chimbote, Peru, Felipe Cam of Santiago, Chile, Crimilda Cam of Chimbote, Peru, Mirta Cam de Dalmau of Babiao, Spain, and Carola Cam de Reyes of Huanuco, Peru. Nena lived 2 lives – before and after the onset of the debilitating, degenerative illness spino-cerebellar ataxia 1, which left her in a wheelchair for the last 5 years of her life. Before then, she was active as an instructor of foods in the Home Economics section of the Dept. of Education at UNB. She worked in several restaurants as a cook and started her own home business teaching cooking. She went on to open her own catering business. Nena was also a board member of Fredericton Transition House, but most importantly she was a dedicated and loving wife and parent. Eventually, the disease made those activities impossible, but it did not extinguish her spark and zest for life. She loved the social contacts that she made in downtown Fredericton in and around the Kings Place Mall. Her refusal to give in to the disease inspired her family members, friends and acquaintances.
The family will receive visitors at McAdam’s Funeral Home, 160 York Street, Fredericton, NB, on Thursday, September 29th, 2011 from 4-7 PM. A memorial mass will be celebrated at St. Dunstan’s Roman Catholic Church on Friday, September 30th, 2011 at 12:00 noon with Fr. John Jennings as celebrant. For those who wish, memorial tributes made to the Fredericton Transition House would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be made at www.mcadamsfh.com