PRIEST, MARIA AGATHA
Maria A. Priest of Temperance Vale, NB passed away May 17, 2015 at Hanwell Special Care Home. On June 4, 1912, in Cape Tormentine, NB, William and Katherine (Allen) Spence welcomed their third daughter into the family and named her Maria. This little baby defied the odds and survived meningitis, going on to live just shy of her 103rd birthday.

Maria met and married her Prince Charming, Watson Priest in 1934. Although he passed away in 1974, she never attempted to find another spouse, saying she was loved and wanted no other husband. Watson and Maria lived in both New Brunswick and Ontario (Saint John, Plaster Rock, Pembroke, Fredericton and Temperance Vale). Maria considered New Brunswick to be home but spoke frequently of her years in Ontario. She lived in her own home until the tender age of 99, after which, she moved to Hanwell Special Care Home. She was in good health until earlier this year.

She is survived by her children, Paul Dearing Priest (Betty), Temperance Vale, NB, Pearle O’Neil (Don), Trenton, ON and Ronald Priest, Toronto, ON. Maria was “Little Nannie” to the staff and friends at Hanwell Special Care Home and to her grandchildren, Stephen, William, Nathan, Susanne, Cathy, Laurie, Robin, Allison and Justin as well as seventeen great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Laura Priest, Norma Trewin and Geraldine Lemming and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Maria was predeceased by two sons, Durling and Raymond, two grandchildren, Dale and Leanne Spence, a granddaughter-in-law, Lynn Priest, a great granddaughter, Nora Sue Slack, sisters, Sarah Fern Nash, Clissie Barkhouse, Violet Leach and brothers Basil and Chesley Spence.

She will forever be remembered for her sparkling eyes, spunky manner and determination to thrive and not merely survive. She was the best bread and donut maker in the entire world. She lived for God and daily read her beloved Bible. She was a prayer warrior and lived by faith in Jesus. In her final years, she sang: I’m going to heaven. I’m going there when I die. I’m going to heaven, in the sweet, sweet bye and bye. So angels place my order for a mansion and a crown. And in that book up yonder, just write my full name down.”

Visitation will be held at Flewelling Funeral Home, 585 Otis Drive, Nackawic, NB on Tuesday from 7 to 9 pm. Funeral service will be held at the Temperance Vale United Pentecostal Church, 34 Pike Hill Road, Temperance Vale, NB on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 1 pm with Rev. Terry Brewer officiating. Interment will be in the Plaster Rock Cemetery.

For those who wish to make a donation in memory of Maria, the family has suggested the Foreign Student Program of the Temperance Vale United Pentecostal Church. www.flewellingwan.com