GASKIN, PHYLLIS MARIE - It is with deep sadness but gratitude for her long and healthy life that we announce the passing of Phyllis Marie Gaskin of Fredericton, on September 25th, 2014. Born in Sackville, NB on October 2, 1921, she was the only child of the late Ethel and Russell Scott. Phyllis is survived by her husband Cyrus whom she married on September 27, 1941. Cyrus left for England ten days after their wedding to join the war effort. It was October, 1945 before they were re-united. Phyllis worked at Eaton’s in Moncton as a secretary and later at Royal Trust in Saint John during the war years. When Cyrus re-enlisted after his university years, she became a career officer’s wife and as such moved to many points across Canada and to Europe on three tours of duty. As part of the Royal Canadian Dragoons family, Phyllis made lifelong friends. In 1965, while Cyrus was on assignment in Viet Nam, Phyllis worked at the UNB Library. In 1969, after moving to Barrie, Ont. she worked at the Barrie Public Library for 17 years, a job she enjoyed very much. In 2001, Phyllis and her husband moved to Fredericton, NB. Since there were two cars that needed to go, Phyllis accepted the challenge and at age 80, drove one of them 1600 km. Because of her life in the military, Phyllis loved to travel and she and Cyrus made 12 trips to Portugal and several trips to the Caribbean, Florida and Bermuda. Closer to home, Stowe, Vermont was one of her favourite places to stop and shop. Phyllis was a devoted daughter and when her father died, she invited her mother to live with her, which she did for thirty years. She was also a wonderful mother to daughters, Rose-Hannah Gaskin and Margaret (Albert) Murray, both of Fredericton, NB, who will miss her greatly. Phyllis enjoyed Fredericton and was a member of Wilmot United Church. In 2011, Phyllis moved to Shannex Retirement home where she made many friends. Dorothy, Mary, Carol, and Georgie were very dear to her. Phyllis had many friends in Murray Corner, NB where the family cottage has stood for over 50 years. In addition to her husband and two daughters, Phyllis leaves behind five grandsons : Sean McNamara, Matthew McNamara, James McNamara, Christopher Murray and Brian Murray; four great grandsons: Emerson, Duke, Sawyer and Kane, brothers in- laws: Paul, John and Bob Gaskin and sisters in-law: Mary, Dorothy and Connie Gaskin, Frances Wade, and several nieces and nephews. Phyllis was predeceased by her granddaughter, Jenna.
The Funeral will be held at Wilmot United Church on October 2nd at 2:00. Any inquiries may be made through McAdam’s Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Benevolent Fund of Wilmot United Church, an outreach programme Phyllis was committed to helping. The family would like to thank the compassionate nurses and doctors in the Palliative Care Unit at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital. We could not have asked for better care. Good Bye, dear Mother – Live now, secure in the love and peace of God.