STEVENSON, JENNIE MAY (WILSON) - Born in 1927 in Coles Island, she was predeceased by her husband, John Stevenson, her parents, Charles and Jennie (West) Wilson, her brother, Ron (Sylvia) of Etobicoke, Ontario and her sister, Lois Wilson. She is survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins. While at Mt. Allison in the 1950s, she was a star goalie for the Women’s Varsity Hockey Team, a member of the Athletic Committee, Choral Society, Model Parliament and president of the Women’s Council. She began her teaching in Coles Island. In 1957, she moved to Oromocto High School, where she spent the remainder of her career as Teacher, Department Head, Vice Principal, and in 1978, she was appointed the first female Principal of OHS. Her summers occasionally incorporated teaching in different venues: time in Ethiopia, and teaching in the UNB English Language Programme. Jennie was an active member/advisor in many capacities both within OHS, and in the local, provincial and national educational arenas. Her positions included: Charter member of the Canadian Council of Teachers of English, Editor of Reflections - a magazine for retired teachers in NB, Member of the New Brunswick Teacher’s Association and New Brunswick Retired Teacher’s Association. She was active in her community. Affiliations included Oromocto United Church, local Board of Management of the VON, Oromocto chapter of the IODE, Oromocto United Way Committee (chairperson), and Coles Island Cemetery Board. She was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship by the Oromocto Rotary Club for outstanding community service. Jennie will be fondly remembered by students, colleagues, family, friends, and care-givers, whose lives she touched through the years.
Visitation will be held at Oromocto Funeral Home, 108 Winnebago St., on Monday, January 16th, 2011 from 2 to 4 and 7to 9 pm. The funeral service will be held at Oromocto United Church on Tuesday, January 17th at 2 pm with Rev. Bob McDowell officiating. Interment will take place in Coles Island Cemetery in the spring. For those who wish, donations in Jennie's memory can be made to the Oromocto High School Library. Online condolences can be made to www.oromoctofh.com, 357-5100.