GUNTER, ELAINE ELIZABETH, QC -At the DECH on Tuesday, February 18th, 2014 of ovarian cancer. A loving mother, aunt, sister-in-law and friend, Elaine was born in Fredericton on August 5th, 1942 to Stella (Boone) and Byron Gunter. She was raised in Fredericton and was one of the “Charlotte Street Girls”. Elaine graduated from UNB with a Bachelor of Arts after which she obtained a Diploma in Secretarial Science at the Mother House (Notre Dame) in Montreal. She worked in various senior administrative positions in Ontario and Quebec until 1975 when she returned to Fredericton with her son Brett. Elaine was a Beaverbrook scholar, graduated from the UNB Law School in 1978 and was admitted to the New Brunswick Bar that same year. After working in private practice as an associate with the firm Hanson Hachey, she commenced employment with the Law Reform Branch of the Department of Justice. In 1982 Elaine was appointed Registrar of Regulations and in 1984 she became the first woman Legislative Counsel to the Province, a position she held until her retirement in 2000. In 1994 Elaine was appointed Director of the Legislative Services Branch, a position she also held until her retirement in 2000. She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1999. Elaine was predeceased by her parents and her brother George. She leaves to mourn her son Brett Doleman, PhD, of San Francisco, Brett’s father, James Doleman of Calgary; her sister-in-law Myrna (George) Gunter of Fredericton; her niece Susan (Christopher) Irwin and their daughters Jamie and Emily of Toronto; her niece Jennifer Gunter (Seamus McKeating) and their children Maeve, Benen and Forrest of Kaslo, BC. She is also survived by several cousins in New Brunswick and Ontario. In addition, Elaine leaves behind many former colleagues and a committed cadre of friends who will truly miss her gentle friendship, wise counsel and dry wit. Elaine enjoyed retirement; she volunteered her time with the Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canada and the Campaign to Control Cancer, she did volunteer work at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital and served on its Ethics Board. Elaine loved nature in all its seasons and enjoyed walks in Odell Park when she would often take photos of the flowers, trees, and pathways. These often served as inspiration for her true passion which was needlework, a craft in which she took great joy. She spent many happy hours with the women of the Fredericton Guild of Fibre Artists, Fredericton’s Heritage Rug Hooking Guild and the Embroiderer’s Guild. Her many pieces of needlework have been shown in exhibits at Government House and have brought joy to her friends in Fredericton and throughout the province. Throughout Elaine’s illness the care and support of her many friends and sister-in-law were a source of great comfort to her. Special thanks go to her family doctor Kaliya Srinivasan, the staff of the Oncology Clinic at the DECH as well as to the staff of DECH’s Palliative Care Unit - Dr. Debra Gowan and the caring team of nurses; the EMP nurses and Elaine’s personal support workers from Bayshore, as well as Beverley Harper.
Visitation will be held at McAdam’s Funeral Home on Saturday, February 22nd, 2014 from 6 to 8 pm. A memorial service celebrating Elaine’s life will be held on Sunday, February 23rd, at 2:00 pm at McAdam’s Funeral Home In lieu of flowers, donations to the donor’s favorite charity would be appreciated. On-line condolences may be www.mcadamsfh.com.