HOWLEY, VESTA - Vesta Jean Howley, 85, of Saint John, formerly of Petitcodiac and Sussex, passed away peacefully at the Rocmaura Nursing Home on June 30, 2013. Born in Petitcodiac, she was a daughter of the late Stanley and Estella (nee Crandall) Steeves. Vesta worked as a machine operator at Waterbury Machine Shop during the war years, and as a telephone operator in Petitcodiac. She also worked with N.B. Wire and Cable, and at the Colonial Inn, Saint John. She enjoyed cooking, knitting, crocheting, embroidering, painting, gardening and doing crossword puzzles. She had a love for animals, and she always enjoyed family gatherings at the camp in Grand Lake, Whites Cove and the camp at Parlee Brook, Sussex. She was a loving, caring and devoted mother to three children: Michael (Minnie) Estabrooks of Petitcodiac, Jill (David) McCaustlin of Saint John and Timothy Estabrooks of Moncton. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren: Amy (Craig) McGowan of Maces Bay, Jessica Dunfield of Saint John, Gwen (Bradley) Keith of Kinnear Settlement, Charles Estabrooks of Petitcodiac and Jonathan (Megan) Estabrooks of Moncton; great-grandchildren: Luke Dunfield, Paige and Paul McGowan, Patrick Dunfield, Noah and Karley Keith and Bayley and Madylynn Estabrooks; daughter-in-law, Joyce Estabrooks of Petitcodiac; and sister, Beulah (Pat) Wilkovesky of Ontario. Besides her parents, Vesta was predeceased by her husbands: Robert Estabrooks and Lawrence Howley; two precious grandchildren: Stephanie and Amanda Dunfield; brothers: Lawrence "Steevie", Harley and Norman Steeves; sisters: Helen Bishop, Myrtle Gogan and Dorothy McAllister.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Armstrong's Funeral Home, 33 Russell Street, where visitation will be held on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm; the funeral service will take place on Wednesday at 3:00 pm with Rev. Chris Hayes presiding, at Armstrong's Funeral Home. Interment will take place at the Maplewood Cemetery. Donations to the Rocmaura Nursing Home, the Alzheimer's Society, or to a charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences can be made at: www.armstrongsfh.com