MacDONALD, IRIS - It is with sadness that the family of Iris Erma (Briggs) MacDonald of Fredericton Junction announces her passing at the Oromocto Public Hospital on December 11, 2012, her 96th birthday.
Iris was born in Temperance Vale the eldest daughter of George Ervine and Rose Mildred (Clark) Briggs on December 11, 1916. She was the wife of the late Dean Clifford MacDonald. Iris and Dean and family moved to Fredericton Junction in 1942 where she became an avid supporter of village life. She was an active member of the United Baptist Church, a Life Member of the Women’s Missionary Society, a Life member of Hartts Mills Craft Club, President of the Ladies Sewing Circle, Life member and charter member of the Gladstone Curling Club, and a member of Club 65. She held many offices in the Order of Eastern Star including Worthy Matron. She participated in helping with Meals on Wheels and until it closed, contributed to the Hospital Aid Society. She was a recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award. One of her great interests was genealogy and after many years of research she wrote her Family History. She belonged to the Sunbury West and Queens County Historical Societies as well as the New Brunswick Genealogical Society. She will be missed by her three daughters: Ann (Edward) Smith, Fredericton; Marilyn (John) Wishart, Tabusintac; Sheryl (David) Darrow, Lower Sackville, NS; two sons: Elmo (Leah) MacDonald, Fredericton Junction; Rev. Dean (Louise) MacDonald, Hillsborough; a sister Ruth Webber, Bedford, NS; brothers: Lloyd (Donna) Briggs, Fredericton; Owen Briggs, Fredericton; brothers-in-aw: Albert Stairs, Hawkshaw and Roland Woodward, Woodstock; fourteen grandchildren; thirty great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, parents, sisters: Marjorie Bustard, Betty Trecartin, Eileen Stairs, Teresa Woodward and one brother, Elmo Briggs, great granddaughter Laura Joy MacDonald and great-great grandson Charles Webb Conacher. The family acknowledges the exceptional support of her caregivers at home and the staff of the William Duffie Unit, Oromocto Public Hospital.
Visitation will be held in the sanctuary of the Fredericton Junction United Baptist Church, Friday December 14, 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8pm. The funeral is Saturday, December 15, 11:00 am. Interment will be in the Temperance Vale Baptist Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you consider a charity of your choice. Arrangements are in the care of Sunbury Funeral Home, Central Blissville, NB (368-2413). sunburyfuneralhome.com