Mary Josepha Gatien, Halifax, passed away at the age of 90 on February 26, 2010, in Halifax. Born and educated in Saint John, N.B., she was the eldest daughter of Percival J. and Florence E. (O\'Brien) Nealis. While residing in Saint John she was president of Holy Trinity C.W.L. and a Commissioner in the Girl Guide movement. She worked as assistant to the Saint John County Superintendent of Schools. After a move to Fredericton she worked as assistant to the Director of Teacher Training at Teachers College. Upon her return to Saint John Mrs. Gatien became Registrar of the Saint John Campus of the University of New Brunswick. A final move to Halifax led to employment at Dalhousie University, where at the time of her retirement she was executive assistant to the Dean of Student Services. She was a long-time member of St. Agnes Parish and a driver for Halifax Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed travel, entertaining and playing bridge. An avid reader with a great interest in politics and business, she read widely in retirement and provided a newspaper \"clipping service\" for her family, as she had earlier done for her employers. Mrs. Gatien is survived by sisters, Florence (Mrs. Nave J. George) of Saint John, N.B.; Claire (Mrs. F. X. Murphy) of Saint John and Justine (Mrs. John Haughey) of Etobicoke, Ont.; son, John (Karen) Gatien of Halifax; daughter, Germaine Gatien (Howard Freeland) of Victoria, B.C.; grandchildren, Sean, Greg and Geoff Gatien and Ben and Valerie Freeland; great-grandchildren, Iain, Kathryn and Beatrice Gatien and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, J. Marcel Gatien and sister, Helen (Mrs. F. H. Bishop). The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at Maplestone Enhanced Care for enriching the last nine months of Mary\'s life. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 1, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., in Cruikshank\'s Halifax Funeral Home, 2032 Robie St., Halifax. Funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, March 2, at 10 a.m. in St. Agnes Church, 6903 Mumford Rd., with interment at a later date in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers should be made to Maplestone Enhanced Care Recreation Department, 245 Main St., Halifax, NS B3M 1B7. You may view or place condolences by visiting www.cruikshankhalifaxfuneralhome.com