Marie Théresa Gratia Hébert Fawcett, beloved wife of John Fawcett, passed away on December 9th, 2010, at the Moncton Hospital after a brief illness. Born in Shippagan on October 5th, 1932, to the late Gervais Hebert and the late Rose Anna Paquet, Gratia led an inspiring life as an accomplished nursing professional, educator, and artist. Upon graduation from Acadamie Ste-Famille Tracadie, she entered the Congregation of the Religieuses Hospitalières de St. Joseph, Vallée-Lourdes, Bathurst, NB. In 1957, she graduated from the Campbellton School of Nursing. After two years of general practice, she took post-graduate studies in the specialties of maternity, nursing, and administration at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. Upon her return to Campbellton, she organized and managed the new department for maternity, delivery and nursing at the Hotel Dieu Hospital until her departure from the Congregation in 1966. Gratia worked in nursing and management positions in hospitals in New Brunswick and Quebec, resigning from the acting administrator's position in 1972. She joined the Community College in Campbellton where she developed and taught the Medical Transcriptionist program for ten years. After a brief retirement in 1985, she returned to nursing at the Villa Providence in Shediac for almost five years. Family was of great importance to Gratia and she was an active member of the Hebert Association of Acadia, serving tenures as president and secretary. Gratia loved all things creative. She enjoyed cooking for her large family and circle of friends who appreciated her warm, exceptional hospitality on many holidays and celebrations. A talented artist, Gratia had expositions of her paintings at The Acadian Family Congress, Amherst (2004), Festival Shediac (2004), Restigouche Gallery, Campbellton (2006), Arts and Cultural Center, Dieppe City Hall (2008), and many others. Her eye for detail and style were reflected in her gardens and home, places of beauty and comfort. Besides her husband, left to cherish her memory are her mother-in-law, Margaret Fawcett of Riverview; step-children Jayne Spina (John) of Toronto, Jeffrey of Winnipeg, Allison Goguen (David) of Moncton; grandchildren Matthew and Bradley Spina, Mackenzie and Samantha Fawcett, Jonathan and Alexander Goguen; sister Léone Schnur (Larry) of Florida; brothers Albert of Tracadie, Renald (Angélie) of Bathurst; sister-in-law Christy Billing (David); brothers-in-law Donald (Marcia), Graham (Judy) all of Riverview; and many nieces and nephews. Gratia was predeceased by her parents, her sister Edna, sister-in-law Eda, and special niece Gloria (Hébert) St. Laurent.
The funeral will be held at 2PM on Tuesday, December 14th at the Chapel of Fair Haven Funeral Home, 1177 Salisbury Road, Moncton, NB with Father Bernard Sloan officiating. A reception will follow the service. In keeping with Gratia's wishes, there will be no visitation. On-line condolences can be sent through www.fairhavenmemorial.com or fawbertgj@bellaliant.net. For those who wish to do so, contributions may be made to The Friends of the Moncton Hospital Foundation. Gratia's husband and family thank the exceptional healthcare professionals at the Moncton Hospital Palliative Care Unit: Dr.Phelan, Dr.Mansfield, Dr.Bandyayera and Dr.Assi, and the compassionate and kind nursing staff on 3600.